ADJUMANI — Former independent candidate Ben Anyama has thrown his weight behind National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer James Leku Pilli, urging his supporters to unite behind the party in Thursday’s Adjumani West parliamentary by-election.
Anyama, who withdrew from the race, said his decision was driven by a desire to preserve unity in the district and strengthen his commitment to the NRM.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, Anyama called on his former supporters and other voters to put past political differences aside and rally behind Leku.
“I want to ask my people, my supporters, and all the people of Adjumani district to forgive each other and forget the past election of Parliament and the past election of LC5, because we are going for another agenda. That agenda is now unity for everybody in Adjumani district,” Anyama said.
He warned that continued political divisions could make it difficult for leaders to work with government to secure essential services and development opportunities for residents.
Anyama said unity would strengthen efforts to attract improvements in health, education, water and employment opportunities.
The by-election has attracted independent candidate Jasper Draga, while Leku is carrying the NRM flag in a contest triggered by the death of veteran NRM politician and former Defence Minister Gen. Moses Ali, who represented Adjumani West for several years.
Anyama described himself as a senior NRM cadre who joined the movement in 1986 alongside Gen. Moses Ali and later served the government in several capacities.
He cited his appointments to public positions, including director at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), chairman of the board of the Uganda Content Development Authority, and his current position as chairman of the National Agricultural Genetic Resources Centre (NAGRC) board.
Anyama said his immediate focus was to promote peace and unity in Adjumani following the death of Gen. Moses Ali.
“What will come next is to see that Adjumani is peaceful, to see that Adjumani people are united, and to see that we back the NRM party for many years to come,” he said.
He urged his former supporters to turn his endorsement of Leku into votes on Thursday.
“You vote massively for NRM. Now that we have withdrawn, we must go full swing to support the party,” Anyama said.
Meanwhile, preparations are complete for Museveni, who is also the NRM National Chairman, to address a mega rally in support of Leku at Paridi Stadium in Adjumani Town Council on Tuesday.
The Adjumani West parliamentary by-election is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026.
