Adjumani West Race Narrows to Draga, Leku Pilli as Tandrupasi and Anyama Withdraw

What the report says

The Adjumani West parliamentary by-election in northern Uganda has narrowed to a direct contest between independent candidate Gasper Draga and National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer James Leku Pilli, after two other aspirants stepped aside. According to Nile Post, Patrick Tandrupasi and former Adjumani District LCV chairperson Ben Anyama withdrew from the race, leaving the September 17, 2026 vote with two main contenders.

Draga, who was nominated by the Adjumani District Electoral Commission on September 7, said he intends to stay in the race despite what he described as pressure from officials, relatives and friends to pull out. The report says he framed his campaign as an effort to address divisions within the local NRM, though that claim was presented as his view rather than a verified finding.

Anyama, who had entered the race as an independent after narrowly losing the NRM primary, said he withdrew after appealing to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s call for party unity and peace in Adjumani. Tandrupasi also confirmed his withdrawal but did not explain why. NRM officials, including leaders from the northern region and mobilization wing, publicly welcomed Anyama’s decision.

The development matters because it simplifies the field ahead of polling and may sharpen attention on party support versus independent backing in Adjumani West. The Electoral Commission is expected to continue overseeing the process as campaigning continues.