Ali Abbas Ali Al-Tahir, better known by his stage name Ali Cairo, died on 14 October 2025 in Kampala, Uganda, after a months-long illness.
His death was announced on his official social media platforms on 14 October.
Days before his death, on 2 October, he shared a photo of himself on a hospital bed on social media, accompanied by prayers for his recovery.
According to news reports, he had undergone surgery in Kampala and was being treated in St Francis Hospital in the Nsambya suburb, and that his body was later prepared for burial in Kampala.
He was laid to rest in Kampala in the morning of 16 October. Several news pages and social videos note that friends and family were involved in arranging payment of hospital fees (reported around USD6,000) before the body was released.
Some Arabic news outlets show or reference a final social media post from him in which he spoke of repentance and reflecting on his life shortly before his death.
As quoted by Al Taghyeer news platform, in his final words, written on his social media just days before his death, Cairo said, “From this night on, the old Ali Cairo is gone. People will see a new Ali — one who thinks before he speaks, listens before he judges, and shows respect before asking for it.”
He also shared a touching message about his daughters, expressing his pride and affection for them, saying, “Girls are not just the adornment of life; they are your support in hard times and your comfort in times of loneliness.”
Although he left behind a wife and two daughters, some people made assumptions about his personal life based on his public persona and performance style. His performance style and music, which often featured lively party themes and appealed to working-class audiences, sometimes sparked controversy and judgment within conservative circles.
His death has been marked by further controversy, with some people sharing unkind opinions and comments about him based on their perceptions of his public persona. Others responded by condemning such remarks, emphasising that it is unkind to judge the deceased and that only God can pass judgment, while offering prayers for God’s mercy on him.
Never the less, many took to social media to mourn his loss.
رحم الله علي كايرو.. وغفر له وجعله من أصحاب اليمين..
— Dr.ALMOTAZ BELLAH (@ALMOTAZBELLAH10) October 14, 2025
نحسبه والله حسيبه انه مات على خير..
يظل باب التوبة مفتوح.. وإن الله ليفرح بتوبة عبده..
رغم ما كنت اختلف معه فيه.. ولكن بعد اطلاعي على أوبته الأخيرة سررت للرجل واحسب ان فيه خير باذن الله.. يكفيه انه لم يقتل أو يشفشف أو يغتصب.. pic.twitter.com/QkEsQsteDL
انا لله وانا له راجعون
— hassan bakri (@hassanbakri16) October 15, 2025
السودانيين بكمبالا يشيعون الفنان علي كايرو ..
في رضًا ورضوان يارب العالمين. pic.twitter.com/SfOyIFXN4z
