KAMPALA, UGANDA — To the nation, General Moses Ali was a towering figure of history—a formidable, highly decorated military commander whose name commanded immense respect and authority. But to Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul, he was much more: a mentor, a friend, and a profound influence on his personal and professional journey.
In an emotional tribute following the General's passing, Ambassador Ogwang Okul, a seasoned diplomat and former NRM Parliamentary Candidate for Kole Constituency, opened up about the deep personal bond they shared—one that began on a dusty campaign trail in 2006 and deepened across continents through books, conversations, and a shared commitment to nation-building.
Ambassador Ogwang Okul's first close encounter with Gen. Moses Ali came during the 2006 Presidential Campaigns. At the time, Ogwang Okul was a young, enthusiastic NRM Parliamentary Candidate for Kole Constituency in the then-greater Apac District. Gen. Moses Ali served as the Chairman for the Northern Uganda Campaign Team for H.E. The President, deputized by Hon. Betty Akech, while Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong and Ogwang Okul served as Secretaries to the Task Force.
During the President's campaign tour in Apac, Okul was delegated to receive H.E. The President at Ngai Secondary School in Oyam North. At the conclusion of the rally, the President departed by helicopter for Gulu, leaving Gen. Ali in Okul's care.
"That evening marked the beginning of a bond that would last a lifetime," Ambassador Ogwang Okul recounted.
With Ogwang Okul behind the steering wheel and the General in the co-driver's seat, they set off along the bumpy, dusty roads toward Lira. What could have been an intimidating journey with a legendary military leader quickly transformed into an unforgettable masterclass in storytelling and warmth.
"Story after story flowed as the miles slipped away; before we even realized it, we had arrived in Lira," Okul recalled. "In those hours on the road, the feared commander revealed the remarkably friendly, approachable, and deeply caring statesman within."
Years later, while serving on his diplomatic posting in Washington, D.C., fate deepened their connection. Ambassador Ogwang Okul met the General's son, through whom he discovered a lesser-known side of Gen. Ali: his profound passion for reading and continuous learning.
"Every time I prepared to travel back home to Uganda from D.C., the General would request that I pick up a book from his son to bring to him," Okul shared.
Delivering those books to the General's office at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) became a cherished ritual. "Beyond the delivery of literature, those visits were moments of rich conversation, warm laughter, and deep reflection on national reconciliation, unity, and our collective duty toward Nation Building," he said.
When the General later earned his law degree from Makerere University and was called to the Bar at the Law Development Centre (LDC), their friendship evolved into a special bond as learned colleagues.
"To see a man of his vast military and political accomplishments dedicate himself to the rigorous study of the law demonstrated his relentless drive for self-improvement and his commitment to the rule of law," Ambassador Okul observed.
For Ambassador Ogwang Okul, Gen. Moses Ali was more than a commander or a statesman—he was a warrior who chose the path of peace, a leader who mentored the young, an avid reader who never stopped learning, and a true patriot who dedicated his entire life to serving Uganda.
"Rest in peace, General," Ambassador Ogwang Okul concluded. "Your legacy, guidance, and camaraderie will forever remain etched in our hearts."
