JUST IN: Son of Late Gen. Moses Ali Joins 9 Others in Fierce Adjumani West Race

At least 10 aspirants are positioning themselves to contest the vacant Adjumani West Constituency parliamentary seat, setting the stage for a potentially competitive by-election following the death of former Defence Minister and long-serving area MP Gen. Moses Ali.

Gen. Moses Ali died on July 18, 2026, at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala after a long political career that made him one of the most prominent figures in Adjumani and the wider West Nile region. His death left the Adjumani West parliamentary seat vacant and has opened the race for a new legislator to represent the constituency for the remainder of the parliamentary term.

So far, at least 10 people have expressed interest in taking over the seat, with several of the potential candidates already beginning to mobilise support among voters.

The list includes former Adjumani District LCV chairpersons Ben Anyama, Nixon Owole and James Leku Pilli. Former Moyo West County MP Santos Piro Eruaga has also joined the race, alongside Daniel Izale, who has been endorsed by the Patriotic League of Uganda.

Other aspirants who have shown interest are Gasper Draga, Kassim Ali, the son of the late Gen. Moses Ali, Justin Mawadri, Richard Madrara Obuni and Patrick Tandrupasi.

The growing number of aspirants has already injected fresh political activity into Adjumani West, with some candidates beginning to engage voters through community meetings, consultations and media appearances. Others are expected to formally announce their intentions as the nomination period draws closer.

The race is likely to attract considerable attention because of Gen. Moses Ali’s long-standing political influence in the area. Having represented Adjumani West in Parliament for several years, his departure has created a significant political gap and could make the by-election an important test of the strength of different political networks in the constituency.

The Electoral Commission has already released the roadmap for the by-election, setting September 17, 2026, as polling day.

At a stakeholders’ meeting held at Adjumani District Headquarters on August 3, Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama outlined the programme that will guide the electoral process.

According to the roadmap, candidates will first go through the nomination process before entering the official campaign period ahead of polling day. The Commission has also called on political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders to respect electoral laws and ensure that the contest is conducted peacefully.

The vacancy created by Gen. Moses Ali’s death has therefore transformed the political landscape in Adjumani West, with established politicians, former local government leaders and new contenders positioning themselves for the seat.

Among the names already circulating, the candidacy of Kassim Ali, the late legislator’s son, could add another dimension to the contest as voters consider whether to maintain a political connection with the family that represented the constituency for years. However, he will face competition from several experienced politicians who are also seeking the support of the electorate.

The presence of three former Adjumani District LCV chairpersons among the aspirants also points to a race involving candidates with experience in local leadership and grassroots mobilisation. Former Moyo West County MP Santos Piro Eruaga brings parliamentary experience to a contest that is expected to attract both local and national political interest.

As September 17 approaches, the political activity in Adjumani West is expected to increase, particularly once the official nomination and campaign phases begin. Aspirants will be seeking to convince voters that they are best placed to address the constituency’s priorities and provide effective representation in Parliament.

For now, the 10 aspirants who have expressed interest remain at the centre of attention, although the final ballot will only become clear after the nomination process.

The by-election will ultimately determine who succeeds Gen. Moses Ali and takes up the responsibility of representing Adjumani West in Parliament, with voters set to make that decision on September 17, 2026.