NRM's James Leku Pili wins Adjumani West constituency by-election
Pili will replace the former Member of Parliament for Adjumani West Constituency, the late Gen. Moses Ali, in the 12th Parliament. Gen Ali died on July 18, 2026, at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala.
James Leku Pili (C) won the Adjumani West Constituency by-election. Here he was pictured celebrating the victory with NRM top leaders, Hamson Obua, vice Chairperson Northern (2nd L), and Rosemary Sseninde (2nd R) (Credit: Adam Gule)
ADJUMANI - The National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, James Leku Pili, has won the contested Adjumani West Constituency by-election conducted on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The results declared by Adjumani District Returning Officer Christine Eunice Akao indicate that Pili garnered 12,423 votes, representing 81.6% of the total number of votes counted, while his opponent, Gasper Draga, on an Independent ticket, obtained 2,559 votes, representing 16.8%.
Akao said 51,437 voters were registered in all 114 polling stations for the election.
She, however, said only 15,216 voters turned out to vote, representing 29.6% of the total number of registered voters in the Constituency for the election, which many had regarded as one of the highly contested races.
Akao further revealed that a total of 234 votes were rejected (spoiled), representing 1.6% of total votes counted.
“Accordingly, as Returning Officer for Adjumani Electoral District and in accordance with section 77(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177, I declare James Leku Pili, who obtained the largest number of votes, to be elected candidate for Adjumani West Constituency," said Akao, a pronouncement which was characterised by jubilation and celebration from the team of NRM and Pili's supporters who were in numbers at the vote tallying centre in the Adjumani district council hall.
Pili will replace the former Member of Parliament for Adjumani West Constituency, late Gen Moses Ali, in the 12th parliament.
Gen Ali died on July 18, 2026, at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala.
Justice Simon Byabakama, Electoral Commission Chairperson, Uganda, said the election process was very peaceful, free and fair, especially on polling day.
He said, throughout the day, his office didn't receive any concerns or complaints of irregularities, and the candidates, with their electorates, remained calm, peaceful, and abided by Election guidelines and electoral laws.
A woman casting her vote at Ukusijoni P7 (Odranga) polling station in Adjumani West Constituency. (Credit: Adam Gule)
NRM lauds the peaceful process
The NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi, commended the Independent Electoral Commission for what he regarded as credible work.
Odoi attributed the victory to a well-structured campaign strategy and mobilisation.
He said they were able to contain rumours within their party that started after the NRM primaries.
Observers
The Election observers described the election process as peaceful, free and fair.
Crispin Kaheru, an Election Observer and Uganda Human Rights Commissioner (UHRC), said no cases of malpractice were registered during the process, indicating that all stakeholders in the election process respected his/her mandate.
"The overall observation is that polling in Adjumani West has generally gone well," he said.
"Materials generally arrived on time, polling started on time at most stations, the Biometric Voter Verification Kits generally worked well, and polling constables were present. The security environment was calm and largely unobtrusive," Kaheru added.
What candidates say
James Leku Pili, after being declared the winner, dedicated the victory to the people of Adjumani West Constituency.
He vowed to uphold unity and diversity to ensure people of Adjumani remain as one even after the election.
"This was an election; in the end, only one person has to win. I urge the people of Madi to remain united," he said.
Pili pledged to abide by the manifesto he delivered during this campaign and always be consultative to the electorate to ensure their voices are raised on the floor of parliament.
Gasper Draga accepted the election results with concerns over what he described as broad daylight robbery.
“I only accept the results for the sake of peace; otherwise, the whole process had junk all over it," he said.
According to Draga, declaration forms had errors, with incorrect figures entered. He also said the majority of the voters were protesting, and they decided to boycott the elections, signalling to the ruling government the level of dictatorship.