James Pilli Leku wins Adjumani West parliamentary by-election

James Pilli Leku of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has won the Adjumani West parliamentary by-election. Leku secured 12,423 votes, representing approximately 82.9 percent of the valid votes cast, defeating independent candidate Gaspar Draga, who received 2,559 votes.

The election was held on September 17, 2026, to fill the vacancy left by the death of former First Deputy Prime Minister Gen Moses Ali, who passed away on July 18, 2026.

Prior to the vote, President Yoweri Museveni campaigned for Leku at a rally in Adjumani Town Council, urging voters to prioritize household incomes and unity. Museveni highlighted government infrastructure projects in the West Nile region, including road developments and the proposed Laropi Bridge, as evidence of the NRM's commitment to the area.