NRM Optimistic of Victory in Adjumani West By-Election

ADJUMANI — National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer James Leku Pilli cast his ballot on Thursday morning as voting got underway in the Adjumani West parliamentary by-election, urging residents to participate in the exercise and enable the polling process to conclude on time.

Leku cast his vote at exactly 10:46 a.m. at Openzinzi Primary School in Openzinzi Parish, Adropi Sub-County, where he thanked residents for turning up to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

The by-election is being held to fill the parliamentary seat left vacant following the death of former Member of Parliament Gen. Moses Ali, who died on July 18, 2026. The Electoral Commission scheduled the by-election for September 17, with polling taking place at 114 polling stations across the constituency.

Speaking shortly after voting, Leku called on residents who had not yet cast their ballots to turn up at their respective polling stations.

“I kindly invite you to come and vote now so that we can finish quickly,” Leku said.

He said early voter participation would allow polling, counting and tallying of results to be completed within the required time.

Leku described the campaign period as initially hectic but said the situation had subsequently calmed, with residents now focused on exercising their democratic right.

He also expressed appreciation to the NRM Secretariat and party supporters for supporting his candidature throughout the campaign period.

The NRM candidate said that, if elected, he would seek to continue the work and responsibilities left behind by the late Gen. Moses Ali, particularly by advancing the interests and development priorities of the people of Adjumani West.

Seninde urges peaceful and orderly voting

NRM Director of Mobilisation and Cadre Development Dr Rosemary Sseninde Nansubuga also expressed confidence in the voting process, thanking God for what she described as a peaceful exercise.

Seninde encouraged residents to participate in the election and exercise their constitutional right to choose their representative.

She also emphasised the importance of civic education, saying voters need to understand both their rights and responsibilities in a democratic process.

The NRM mobilisation chief urged voters to carefully follow the prescribed voting procedures to avoid spoiling their ballots.

“We have done our part; we have mobilised the people, talked to them and guided them, and we remain hopeful for a successful election,” Seninde said.

She further called for unity among residents beyond the election, arguing that development requires communities to work together regardless of political differences.

51,437 voters registered

According to the Electoral Commission, 51,437 voters are registered in Adjumani West Constituency for the by-election. Of these, 27,573 are female voters, representing 53.6 percent, while 23,864 are male voters, representing 46.4 percent.

Polling was scheduled to run from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., followed by counting and the announcement of results by presiding officers.

The Electoral Commission had earlier confirmed that polling materials had been delivered to all 114 polling stations and that the election would be conducted under the Commission's established procedures.

The Commission has also said Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) would be used to verify voters before they receive ballot papers.

Race narrowed to Leku and Draga

The contest has narrowed to NRM's Leku Pilli and independent candidate Gasper Draga after two initially nominated candidates, Ben Anyama and Patrick Tandrupasi, withdrew from the race. The Electoral Commission subsequently excluded their names from the ballot papers.

Leku emerged as the NRM flag bearer after winning the party's primary earlier this month with 9,336 votes, defeating Ben Anyama, who polled 9,152 votes.

The by-election marks the first parliamentary election in the constituency since the death of Gen. Moses Ali, a long-serving representative of the area.

As voting continues, attention is now focused on voter turnout, the conduct of polling and the subsequent counting and tallying of results across the 114 polling stations.