Ababiku: Adjumani West Candidate Anyama Was Not Forced to Withdraw

ADJUMANI: Adjumani Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Jesca Ababiku has dismissed claims that independent candidate Ben Anyama was forced to withdraw from the Adjumani West parliamentary by-election, saying available evidence indicates that he voluntarily stepped down after discussions with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Anyama, who had initially entered the race as an independent candidate, withdrew his candidature following engagements with President Museveni, who is also the National Chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The development had sparked debate in Adjumani, with claims circulating that Anyama had been pressured to abandon the contest.

However, speaking to journalists in Adjumani on Saturday, Ababiku said a letter presented to local leaders indicated that Anyama surrendered his candidature voluntarily.

“There were talks that he was forced by the President. The information which has been shared today, with the letter as evidence, is that he surrendered voluntarily,” Ababiku said.

According to the legislator, the decision was made with Anyama's consent after he listened to the President's views, while some of his supporters also appended their signatures to the document.

“As a cadre, as a disciplined leader, he got denominated voluntarily with his consent. Some of his supporters also signed,” she said.

Ababiku said that unless Anyama himself comes out to give a different account of what transpired, she considers his withdrawal to have been voluntary.

She described Anyama as a capable leader whose political career and contribution to Adjumani should not be defined solely by the by-election.

“He is a leader who can wait for tomorrow, who can still support NRM in other ways, but also support the development of Adjumani. He is a good leader,” Ababiku said.

Ababiku rallies support for Leku

Ababiku has since intensified mobilisation for NRM flag bearer James Leku Pilli ahead of the September 17 by-election, calling on voters across Adjumani West to unite behind the party candidate.

Her mobilisation campaign has focused largely on unity, development and the need for residents to look beyond political differences when choosing their next representative.

She said the election should not become a source of permanent division among residents, families and local leaders, arguing that the constituency needs leadership capable of focusing on development challenges.

“As people of Adjumani, we need to focus more on development than concentrating on division. We need to write our legacy, and we cannot write our legacy on division,” she said.

The Woman MP expressed optimism that the political differences that have emerged during the campaign would eventually give way to reconciliation and cooperation.

She said residents and leaders should be able to work together regardless of their political affiliations for the benefit of Adjumani.

Ababiku's mobilisation activities form part of the NRM's village-to-village campaign aimed at consolidating support for Leku ahead of the by-election.

NRM calls for unity

NRM Senior Manager for Communications Rogers Mulindwa said the party's campaign was also focused on ensuring that the by-election does not deepen political and social divisions in Adjumani.

Mulindwa acknowledged that political competition naturally creates differences among candidates and their supporters, but said the bigger responsibility was to ensure that those differences do not permanently damage relationships within the community.

“Our target as a party is to leave Adjumani more united than we have ever found it,” Mulindwa said.

He said the NRM could provide guidance and support, but the people of Adjumani ultimately had the responsibility of rebuilding trust and unity within the district.

“The Adjumani people must take the lead. We can only give them some support and advise them on certain issues, but they have the key role in making Adjumani more united,” he said.

Mulindwa appealed to candidates, supporters and residents to respect one another throughout the remaining campaign period and after polling.

He warned against allowing political competition to escalate into conflicts that could divide families and undermine cooperation among local leaders.

“These elections must not escalate conflicts in this district. They must not dig the rifts deeper. They must not leave families disgruntled or divide the leadership here,” Mulindwa said.

NRM prepares for Museveni visit

Mulindwa also said the NRM mobilisation campaign was progressing across the five sub-counties as the party prepared for President Museveni's scheduled visit to Adjumani on Tuesday.

He urged residents from across Adjumani District, including those outside Adjumani West, to turn up for the President's visit.

According to Mulindwa, Museveni's message of peace, discipline and unity would reinforce the party's appeal for reconciliation ahead of the by-election.

 NRM's Rogers Mulindwa

The President's visit is also expected to provide an opportunity for local leaders and residents to present concerns affecting the district.

Ababiku welcomed the planned visit, saying residents were prepared to receive the President and use the occasion to present a memorandum highlighting challenges facing Adjumani.

“We are more ready because this is an NRM-rooted district, but also we love the President and he has done a lot,” she said.

By-election follows death of Gen. Moses Ali

The Adjumani West parliamentary by-election was triggered by the death of former MP and veteran NRM leader General Moses Ali, who died on July 18, 2026.

The contest is being held to fill the parliamentary seat previously occupied by the late General Ali.

The September 17 election comes amid an intensive campaign by political parties and candidates seeking to win the constituency, with the NRM seeking to retain the seat through its flag bearer, James Leku Pilli.

The NRM has deployed senior party officials and mobilisation teams to the constituency as it seeks to consolidate its support before polling day.

With the campaign entering its final phase, the party has increasingly framed the election around unity, peaceful competition and development, while urging residents to avoid political divisions that could persist beyond the polls.

The controversy surrounding Anyama's withdrawal has also placed renewed attention on the importance of maintaining unity among NRM supporters and the wider Adjumani community.

As candidates and their supporters head into the final days of campaigning, the central message from the NRM leadership remains that the election should produce leadership while preserving the social cohesion needed to address Adjumani's development challenges.