President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for unity among voters in Adjumani West County as he campaigned for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, James Pilli Leku, ahead of Thursday, September 7th, 2026, parliamentary by-election.
Speaking at Padiri Stadium in Adjumani Town Council, President Museveni appealed to supporters of different candidates to unite behind Leku, following the withdrawal of former candidate Ben Anyama from the race.
“I’m here to beg you to support Leku because he is the one who will support NRM, and I thank all the others who have supported him,” he said.
He also urged supporters of other candidates to put aside political differences for the sake of peace.
“I ask my supporters and the supporters of other candidates, for the sake of peace and unity, to rally behind the NRM candidate and cooperate,” President Museveni highlighted.
Museveni highlighted government investments in roads, electricity and education in West Nile, citing projects such as the Laropi–Moyo road, Laropi Bridge and the expansion of electricity access.
“Instead of war, we now have tarmacked roads from Kampala to Nimule,” the President noted.
However, he said infrastructure should not be the only measure of development, urging residents to focus more on strengthening household incomes through programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“There is a difference between development and wealth. The tarmac road is for all of us, but development is for your house. Let’s divert some money from roads, schools and health centres to the Parish Development Model (PDM) because PDM addresses development,” President Museveni said.
The rally also saw opposition supporters, including members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and National Unity Platform (NUP), cross to the NRM. FDC member Patrick Tandrupasi, who withdrew from the parliamentary race, declared his support for Leku.
The NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong called for discipline and mutual respect among supporters, while commending the peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities in Adjumani.
The Adjumani West County by-election is scheduled for September 17th, 2026, following the death of Gen Moses Ali.
