Registered members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Adjumani West Constituency will go to the polls on Thursday, September 3, 2026, to choose the party's candidate for the September 17 parliamentary by-election.
The NRM primary will be conducted through lining up behind the preferred candidates, with registered party members expected to physically identify the candidate they support.
Seven candidates are contesting the primary, seeking the NRM ticket and flag ahead of the constituency-wide by-election.
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The Adjumani West parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, the former Second Deputy Prime Minister and long-serving Member of Parliament for the constituency. Gen. Moses Ali died on July 18, 2026, at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala.
The Electoral Commission has set September 17, 2026, as polling day for the by-election to elect his successor.
Adjumani West Constituency comprises Adjumani Town Council and Pachara, Adropi, Ciforo and Ukusijoni sub-counties, with 23 parishes and 99 villages.
The NRM previously had more than 29,000 registered members in the constituency. However, the party had not released an updated register ahead of Thursday's primary, with reliable sources estimating that membership could now be about 35,000.
Adjumani District NRM Registrar Amos Chandimale said the party was finalising the updated register.
"We are compiling the latest update of the registered voters. We shall reveal the updated voter register later today," Chandimale said.
The seven duly nominated candidates are Richard Obuni Madrara, Ben Anyama, Nixon Owole, Justin Mawadri, Daniel Izale, Ali Kasim and James Leku Pilli.
The candidates have been traversing the constituency as part of joint NRM campaign activities aimed at mobilising support ahead of the primary and, ultimately, the September 17 by-election.
For some voters, the primary is an opportunity to choose a candidate they believe can improve service delivery and represent the interests of different groups within the constituency.
Robina Anzoa, a registered NRM voter and resident of Central II Village in Adjumani Town Council, said she would support a development-oriented candidate capable of lobbying for improved services for women, youth and older persons.
"I will cast my vote for a development-oriented candidate who will enhance service delivery in Adjumani West Constituency and has the potential to lobby for women, youth and elderly persons," Anzoa said.
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Adjumani District NRM Chairperson Charles Akuku Anzo has called on candidates, supporters and party officials to ensure that the primary is conducted peacefully.
Akuku urged candidates and their supporters to reject practices that could undermine the credibility of the election, including voter bribery, intimidation and incitement.
"I urge the seven candidates and their supporters to avoid inciting the voters, avoid voter bribery and avoid voter intimidation. The party officials should be neutral to all the candidates," Akuku said.
He also called on NRM members to remain united after the primary, regardless of who emerges as the party's candidate.
Akuku said the party should rally behind the successful candidate to strengthen its chances in the September 17 by-election.
The NRM primary is part of the party's internal process of selecting its flag bearer ahead of the Electoral Commission-organised by-election.
Thursday's vote is expected to determine who among the seven candidates will carry the NRM ticket and flag in the race to replace Gen. Moses Ali, who represented Adjumani West in Parliament for several years.
