The Electoral Commission has declared National Resistance Movement candidate James Leku Pili the winner of the Adjumani West parliamentary by-election, succeeding the late Gen Moses Ali.
Mr Leku secured 12,432 votes, defeating independent candidate Gasper Draga, who received 2,559 votes in Thursday’s election.
Adjumani District Returning Officer Eunice Christine Akao declared Mr Leku elected after the completion of tallying on Thursday evening.
“Accordingly, as returning officer for Adjumani Electoral District, in accordance with Section 77(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, I declare James Leku Pili, who has obtained the largest number of votes, to be elected for Adjumani West County Constituency,” Ms Akao said.
The election recorded a low turnout, with 15,216 of the constituency’s 51,437 registered voters participating.
Draga concedes defeat
Mr Draga conceded defeat following the declaration of results but alleged there had been irregularities in the election.
He said his team had reviewed some declaration forms and claimed they showed signs of manipulation, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegations.
“For the sake of peace, I have conceded defeat,” he said.
Election observers said the exercise was largely peaceful, with no major incidents of violence reported.
Crispin Kaheru, a member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission election observation team, said election materials arrived on time in most areas and biometric voter verification equipment generally functioned well.
Low voter participation was, however, identified as a significant concern.
Some polling stations delayed opening because the minimum number of voters required to witness the opening of ballot boxes had not arrived.
Leku succeeds Gen Moses Ali
The Adjumani West seat became vacant following the death of Gen Moses Ali on 18 July 2026.
Gen Ali had represented the area for several years during a long political career.
Mr Leku secured the NRM ticket earlier this month after a closely contested party primary in which he received 9,336 votes against former Adjumani District chairperson Ben Anyama’s 9,152 — a difference of 184 votes.
Four candidates were initially nominated for the parliamentary by-election: Mr Leku, Mr Draga, Mr Anyama and Patrick Tandrupasi.
Mr Anyama and Mr Tandrupasi subsequently withdrew, leaving Mr Leku and Mr Draga as the two candidates on the ballot.
Leku pledges to continue Ali’s work
Following his victory, Mr Leku thanked voters and said he would work to fulfil commitments made during his campaign.
He called for unity and invited his former political rivals to work with him in addressing challenges facing the constituency.
Mr Leku also acknowledged projects and other issues that remained unresolved following Gen Ali’s death.
“I know General Moses Ali left a lot of challenges that were presented to him. He tried to solve some but left others unaccomplished. I will work hard to ensure I try to resolve some of them,” he said.
NRM mobilisation director Rosemary Nsubuga Seninde also called on party leaders and supporters in Adjumani to remain united following divisions that emerged during the party primaries.
The Electoral Commission had 114 polling stations for the by-election and said before polling that arrangements had been made with police to provide security throughout the exercise.
