The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially unveiled the roadmap for the Adjumani West Constituency by-election, setting polling day for September 17, 2026.
The parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of veteran statesman, decorated military officer, and former Second Deputy Prime Minister, Gen. Moses Ali. Gen. Ali passed away at the age of 87 at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala, where he had been receiving specialized medical treatment for several days as public concern over his health grew.
Gen. Ali’s remarkable political and military career spanned more than five decades, during which he served under successive Ugandan administrations in various high-profile roles-including cabinet minister, rebel leader, senior military commander, and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament. Having been sworn in as the representative for Adjumani West County in the 12th Parliament in May 2026, his passing marked the end of an era for one of the nation’s most influential public figures.
Unveiling the election schedule during an address on Monday, August 3, 2026, EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama advised all prospective candidates to carefully review their statutory documentation and immediately consult the commission if they identify any paperwork issues prior to the official nomination exercise.
Official campaign activities will run for seven days, starting on September 9 and concluding on September 15, 2026. Justice Byabakama emphasized that a mandatory schedule harmonization meeting with the local Returning Officer will take place immediately after nominations to maintain order and prevent political clashes between rival groups. “Candidates will gather before the Returning Officer to harmonize their campaign programs so that we are clear. If a candidate is in Pachara Sub-County that day, another candidate should not be there to avoid clashes,” Justice Byabakama stated.
He further appealed to all participants to strictly observe electoral laws and guidelines during the short campaign period.
“Campaigns officially run from September 9 until September 15. That is enough period for relative and responsible campaigning. In any case, if the people do not know you by now, seven days will not work for you,” he noted.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting, Deputy Resident District Commissioner Emmanuel Okwari reassured the public that the district leadership remains committed to ensuring the by-election is conducted in a peaceful and conducive environment.
Okwari noted that the greatest threat to a peaceful election is the conduct of some candidates, particularly the use of inflammatory language, hate speech, and incitement of supporters. He urged all contestants to exercise restraint and focus on presenting their manifestos to voters rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric.
Commending the participation of cultural and religious leaders in promoting harmony, Okwari also challenged media houses to uphold professional standards. He suggested that the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) work closely with relevant stakeholders to monitor campaign messages and enforce compliance against hate speech.
Reminding candidates that only one person will emerge victorious, Okwari urged all participants to respect the democratic process and accept the will of the electorate, reaffirming the commitment of the district security committee to deliver a peaceful by-election that reflects the legacy of the late Gen. Moses Ali.
Echoing these calls for calm, the Regional Police Commander for North West Nile, Joseph Mwesige, appealed to candidates and supporters to honor Gen. Ali’s memory through peaceful conduct.
Mwesige emphasized that elections should be a contest of ideas where voters freely choose their representative. Warning against electoral violence, he pointed out that Adjumani has in the past been associated with election-related clashes-a reputation he stressed must not be repeated. He called on all political actors to reject intimidation and work together to ensure a peaceful, credible, free, and transparent process.