NRM Mobilises as President Museveni Prepares to Close Leku’s Adjumani Campaign

ADJUMANI — Adjumani West Constituency is preparing to host President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday, September 15, as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) intensifies its mobilisation ahead of the September 17 by-election.

President Museveni, who is also the NRM National Chairman and presidential candidate, is expected to campaign for the party’s flag bearer, Leku James Pilli, during a rally that will effectively mark the climax of the NRM campaign in the constituency.

The President’s visit comes as NRM campaign teams enter the fourth day of an intensive village-to-village mobilisation exercise aimed at consolidating support for Leku ahead of polling day.

The mobilisation drive is being spearheaded by NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Hon. Hamson Obua; Director of Mobilisation and Cadre Development, Dr Rosemary Sseninde Nansubuga; Senior Manager for Communications and Publicity, Rogers Mulindwa; and local party leaders.

Preparations intensify

Obua said preparations for the President’s rally had been stepped up, with party leaders holding mobilisation meetings and using radio programmes to sensitise residents about the event.

“We have held a number of preparatory meetings, and we are yet to hold more. We have had radio talk shows mobilising members of the community to turn up in big numbers on Tuesday,” Obua said.

He said the rally would provide residents with an opportunity to listen directly to Museveni’s message and hear his appeal for support for Leku.

The NRM leadership is also using the final days of the campaign to address concerns raised by residents during the grassroots mobilisation exercise.

According to Obua, infrastructure and connectivity have emerged as some of the major issues raised by communities, with residents particularly highlighting the need for a bridge to improve connectivity between Adjumani and other parts of the West Nile region.

“The most key and pressing matter is the issue of the bridge,” Obua said.

He explained that the proposed bridge project was still at the preliminary stages under the Ministry of Works and Transport, but expressed hope that the concerns raised by residents would continue receiving government attention.

Obua calls for NRM unity

Beyond infrastructure, Obua urged NRM leaders and supporters to maintain unity, arguing that internal divisions could undermine the party’s ability to deliver development and effective service to citizens.

He challenged leaders to demonstrate unity through their actions and conduct, rather than merely preaching it during campaigns.

“Leaders must take the lead, leaders must walk the talk, and leaders must practise what they preach in terms of unity,” Obua said.

His remarks come as the party seeks to consolidate its support in the constituency following the withdrawal of some candidates and intensified competition ahead of the by-election.

Sseninde praises grassroots mobilisation

Dr Sseninde said the village-based campaign strategy had enabled NRM leaders to interact directly with voters and communicate the party’s message at household and community level.

“We have moved village by village. We have been able to reach down to the people,” she said.

She said the grassroots approach had helped strengthen confidence in Leku and provided party leaders with an opportunity to listen to residents' concerns.

Sseninde also appealed to residents to remain united, stressing that political divisions should not be allowed to interfere with development.

Leku promises continuity

Leku, meanwhile, thanked residents for the support he has received during the campaign and said the village-to-village mobilisation had allowed him to engage directly with communities across Adjumani West.

The NRM flag bearer pledged to serve residents and continue development initiatives associated with the late Gen. Moses Ali, who represented the constituency for many years before his death.

Leku said he was familiar with many of the plans and priorities that had been left behind by the former legislator and intended to use them as a foundation for his own leadership.

“I know most of his plans, and I hope to use the plans that he has left behind to enforce some of the things that I'm going to do in Adjumani,” Leku said.

He said his campaign was focused on continuity, service delivery and responding to the priorities of residents.

Mulindwa rallies voters behind Leku

NRM Senior Manager for Communications Rogers Mulindwa also called on residents to maintain the political support they have demonstrated for the ruling party.

Mulindwa said the people of Adjumani had demonstrated strong support for Museveni during the January 2026 general elections and urged them to translate that support into votes for Leku in the parliamentary by-election.

He appealed to voters to turn out in large numbers on September 17 and support the NRM candidate.

By-election follows Gen. Moses Ali's death

The Adjumani West by-election was triggered by the death of Gen. Moses Ali, the long-serving area Member of Parliament, on July 18, 2026.

The Electoral Commission subsequently released a roadmap for the by-election, with polling scheduled for Thursday, September 17.

The contest has attracted candidates from different political formations, making the final days of the campaign particularly significant as candidates seek to mobilise voters across the constituency.

For the NRM, Tuesday’s rally is expected to provide the biggest platform for Leku before voters head to the polls.

With President Museveni scheduled to campaign for his party’s candidate, the NRM leadership is expected to use the rally to make a final appeal for unity, continuity and support for Leku.

The party's mobilisation teams are expected to continue their grassroots engagements ahead of Tuesday’s presidential rally and the September 17 polling day.