By: Emmanuel Ojok

The Electoral Commission has set September 17, 2026 as the polling date for the Adjumani West parliamentary by-election, following the death of veteran politician and former Second Deputy Prime Minister Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali.

Gen. Ali, who had just been re-elected to represent Adjumani West in the 2026 general elections, died on July 18, 2026, at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala at the age of 87 after a period of illness.

His death created a vacancy in Parliament only months after he was sworn in as a member of the 12th Parliament in May 2026.

The Electoral Commission unveiled the by-election roadmap on August 3, with campaigns scheduled to run from September 9 to September 15, ahead of polling on September 17.

EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama has urged prospective candidates to comply with electoral laws and guidelines, while also calling for coordination of campaign programmes to minimise clashes among supporters.

As Adjumani West prepares to return to the polls, cultural leaders in West Nile say the election provides an opportunity for voters to choose a representative capable of continuing development initiatives associated with the late Gen. Ali.

Officials from Aringa Kingdom and Lugbar Kari have called for the election of a leader who can build on Gen. Ali’s contribution to the constituency and the wider West Nile region.

Gen. Ali’s political career spanned more than five decades. He served in several senior government and military positions, including cabinet minister, senior military commander and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament. He was also a former First and Second Deputy Prime Minister.

His long political career made him one of the most influential figures from West Nile, with leaders and residents crediting him for championing development and advocating for government investment in the region.

Fadhil Lemeriga, the Prime Minister of Aringa Kingdom, has called for the late General’s development legacy to be maintained, particularly projects and initiatives that he had pushed for during his years in public service.

Lemeriga has also expressed hope that the government will consider appointing a Cabinet minister from West Nile, arguing that the region should continue to have strong representation in the national decision-making structure.

Meanwhile, Adjumani district authorities and security officials have appealed to candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the campaign period.

Deputy Resident District Commissioner Emmanuel Okwari warned against inflammatory language, hate speech and incitement, urging candidates to focus on presenting their programmes and manifestos to voters.

North West Nile Regional Police Commander Joseph Mwesige similarly urged political actors to reject violence and intimidation, saying the election should be a contest of ideas in which voters freely choose their preferred representative.

With the campaign period limited to seven days, candidates will have a short window to convince voters that they are best placed to take forward the constituency’s development agenda.

The September 17 election will therefore not only determine Gen. Ali’s successor but will also test the ability of political actors in Adjuman

 West to conduct a peaceful and credible democratic transition while preserving the late legislator’s contribution to the constituency and West Nile region.