The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has laid out sweeping allegations against senior officials of the Parliament of Uganda, with newly filed charge sheets accusing them of embezzling billions of shillings from Parliament and, in some cases, laundering what prosecutors describe as proceeds of crime.
At the centre of the case is Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chris Ariko Obore, who prosecutors allege unlawfully obtained more than UGX5.2 billion during his tenure.
According to charge sheets signed by Brenda Kimbugwe Mawanda, the Manager Prosecutions and the officer preferring the charges, Obore faces a count of embezzlement under the Anti-Corruption Act.
The prosecution alleges that: “Chris Ariko Obore during the period of 2023 to May 2026 in Parliament of Uganda, while employed as Director Communications and Public Affairs, Parliament of Uganda, stole UGX5,253,100,000 (Five billion two hundred fifty three million one hundred thousand shillings), the property of his employer which he had access to by virtue of his employment.”
The charge sheet further accuses Parliament’s Director of Human Resource, Daniel Adilo, of embezzling an even larger sum.
According to the prosecution, “Adilo Daniel during the period of 2023 to May 2026 in Parliament of Uganda, while employed as Director Human Resource, Parliament of Uganda, stole UGX14,608,613,150 (Fourteen billion six hundred eight million six hundred thirteen thousand one hundred fifty shillings), the property of his employer which he had access to by virtue of his employment.”
Another senior official named in the case is Leonard Okema, who served as Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker.
The prosecution alleges that “Okema Leonard during the period of 2023 to May 2026 in Parliament of Uganda, while employed as Executive Secretary Office of Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, stole UGX3,489,400,000 (Three billion four hundred eighty nine million four hundred thousand shillings), the property of his employer which he had access to by virtue of his employment.”
Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, identified in the charge sheet as a Principal Research Officer in Parliament, is also accused of embezzlement.
According to the particulars of the charge, “Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu during the period of 2023 to May 2026 in Parliament of Uganda Kampala District, while employed as Principal Research Officer, Parliament of Uganda, stole UGX2,170,108,000 (Two billion one hundred seventy million one hundred eight thousand shillings), the property of his employer which he had access to by virtue of his employment.”
The charge sheets further allege that Capacity Development Officer Vincent Otebata unlawfully obtained billions from Parliament.
The prosecution states that “Otebata Vincent, during the period of 2023 to May 2026 in Parliament of Uganda, while employed as Capacity Development Officer, Parliament of Uganda, stole UGX5,253,100,000 (Five billion two hundred fifty three million one hundred thousand shillings), the property of his employer which he had access to by virtue of his employment.”
Beyond the embezzlement counts, prosecutors have also filed a money laundering charge against six individuals.
According to the charge sheet, “Okema Leonard, Obore Chris, Adilo Daniel, Kaaya Rajab Ssemalulu, Otebata Vincent and Murebe Methods, during the period of January 2023 to April 2026 in Parliament of Uganda Kampala District, while employed as Executive Secretary, Office of Speaker, Director Communications and Public Affairs, Director Human Resource, Principal Research Officer, Capacity Development Officer all of Parliament of Uganda respectively and Chief Executive Officer, Parliamentary SACCO, processed, approved and received UGX10,893,071,150 knowing at the time of processing and receipt that the said funds were proceeds of crime.”
The charges were preferred by Brenda Kimbugwe Mawanda, Manager Prosecutions at the Inspectorate of Government, and bear the consent of Inspector General of Government Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala.
The accused are expected to appear before court to answer the charges. At this stage, the allegations remain unproven, and all the accused are presumed innocent unless and until a court finds them guilty.
Obore was a close ally of former speaker Anita Among.
A new administration has since taken over at parliament. Incumbent speaker Jacob Oboth Oboth has complained about people trying to bewitch him, even as he promises to rid parliament of corruption. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
