By Jamillah Kemigisa
In a moment that stunned Ugandans and reignited national debate on leadership succession, General Moses Ali, the 85-year-old First Deputy Prime Minister, was nominated for re-election on Monday while seated in his vehicle, physically unable to walk or stand before the Electoral Commission.
The dramatic and unprecedented scene unfolded at the NRM nomination centre in Kampala, where NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi personally oversaw the process. With Moses Ali unable to leave the car, officials approached the passenger side window and processed his nomination paperwork through the open door.
The move immediately triggered mixed reactions across the country. While some NRM supporters hailed it as a testament to Ali’s resilience and enduring commitment to public service, others sharply criticized it as a glaring symbol of a political system unwilling to let go, even when age and frailty make active leadership virtually impossible.
“If someone cannot walk or speak to voters, how will they represent the people?” questioned a concerned youth leader in Kampala, echoing sentiments that quickly went viral on social media.
Dr. Odoi defended the nomination, stating that Moses Ali had fulfilled all legal requirements and was therefore qualified to stand for office. However, the optics of the situation — an immobile elderly statesman being endorsed from a vehicle — have fueled deeper anxieties about Uganda’s aging political class, stalled generational transition, and the political machinery enabling such candidacies.
A decorated historical figure and one of Uganda’s few remaining political veterans who served under both Idi Amin and President Museveni, Moses Ali has long represented Adjumani West County. But for many, Monday’s spectacle cast a long shadow over his legacy, with critics questioning whether his continued candidacy is being driven by genuine will — or political manipulation.
As Uganda heads toward yet another election season, the image of Moses Ali — silent, motionless, and nominated from a car — may become a lasting symbol of a leadership elite unwilling to yield space to younger, more agile generations.
And in a country where nearly 80% of the population is under 35, the question remains: How long will Uganda’s future be dictated from the backseat of history?
