Politics
Why PLU-backed Izale withdrew from Adjumani West MP race
"At a personal level, I would like to respect the Tukopamoja agreement between the NRM and the PLU and confirm that nobody influenced my decision. I urge my supporters to take individual responsibility to vote for candidates of their choice," Izale said.
Daniel Izale and Dr Rosemary after an in-house meeting at Lavic Resort Hotel in Adjumani. (Credit: Tasia Doreen)
By: Doreen Tasia, Journalist @New Vision
ADJUMANI - Four candidates remain in the race for the Adjumani West parliamentary seat after Daniel Izale, the candidate backed by the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), withdrew from the contest.
The remaining officially nominated candidates are Ben Anyama, Gasper Draga, Patrick Trandrupasi and James Leku.
Izale's withdrawal came on September 8, 2026, a few hours before his scheduled nomination time, as political parties and candidates intensified preparations for the election scheduled for September 17, 2026.
Addressing journalists at Lavic Resort Hotel, Izale said his decision to withdraw was not influenced by any party or candidate.
"At a personal level, I would like to respect the Tukopamoja agreement between the NRM and the PLU and confirm that nobody influenced my decision. I urge my supporters to take individual responsibility to vote for candidates of their choice," Izale said.
Izale had emerged as one of the notable contenders in the constituency after receiving the backing of PLU and finishing third in the NRM primaries, in which seven candidates contested.
"At a personal level, I would like to respect the Tukopamoja agreement between the NRM and the PLU and confirm that nobody influenced my decision. I urge my supporters to take individual responsibility to vote for candidates of their choice," Izale said.
Izale had emerged as one of the notable contenders in the constituency after receiving the backing of PLU and finishing third in the NRM primaries, in which seven candidates contested.
His decision to step aside is likely to generate speculation about how his supporters will position themselves in the next phase of the campaign.
The withdrawal also comes against the backdrop of internal competition within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), where James Leku Pili emerged as the party's flag bearer for Adjumani West.
Dr Rosemary Nansubuga Sseninde, the director for NRM mobilisation, said Izale's withdrawal puts the NRM in a strong position to win the election.
"I want to thank God that one of the candidates who was coming as an independent, Daniel, has stepped aside after remembering the agreement the party has with PLU; otherwise, we were going to divide the votes. We don't have to pull ropes," she said.
Political observers are expected to closely watch whether Izale's supporters transfer their allegiance to another candidate or remain divided among the contenders.
The withdrawal also comes against the backdrop of internal competition within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), where James Leku Pili emerged as the party's flag bearer for Adjumani West.
Dr Rosemary Nansubuga Sseninde, the director for NRM mobilisation, said Izale's withdrawal puts the NRM in a strong position to win the election.
"I want to thank God that one of the candidates who was coming as an independent, Daniel, has stepped aside after remembering the agreement the party has with PLU; otherwise, we were going to divide the votes. We don't have to pull ropes," she said.
Political observers are expected to closely watch whether Izale's supporters transfer their allegiance to another candidate or remain divided among the contenders.