The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has unveiled explosive charge sheets accusing eight senior Parliament officials of embezzling billions of shillings in taxpayer money, with the allegations placing Parliament’s Human Resource Director Daniel Adilo at the top of the list.
The charge sheets, filed under the Anti-Corruption Act, paint a picture of what investigators believe was a massive scheme to siphon public funds between 2023 and May 2026, with the accused allegedly stealing amounts ranging from Shs75 million to more than Shs14.6 billion.
Here is how the money is alleged to have been stolen, according to the prosecution.
Daniel Adilo allegedly stole Shs14.6 billion
The biggest allegation is against Daniel Adilo, the Director of Human Resource at Parliament.
Prosecutors accuse Adilo of embezzling Shs14,608,613,150 from Parliament between 2023 and May 2026. The IGG alleges that the money belonged to Parliament and that Adilo had access to it by virtue of his office.
If proven in court, Adilo would be responsible for the largest individual loss among all the accused.
Chris Obore accused of taking Shs5.25 billion
Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs Chris Ariko Obore is accused of embezzling Shs5,253,100,000.
According to the charge sheet, Obore allegedly stole the money while serving as the institution’s chief communications officer during the same period.
The funds are said to have been public money belonging to Parliament.
Vincent Otebata faces identical Shs5.25 billion allegation
Capacity Development Officer Vincent Otebata is accused of stealing exactly the same amount as Obore—Shs5,253,100,000.
Investigators allege that he unlawfully took the funds entrusted to Parliament while serving in his official capacity.
Leonard Okema accused of stealing Shs3.49 billion
Leonard Okema, the Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker, allegedly embezzled Shs3,489,400,000.
According to prosecutors, the money was stolen from Parliament while Okema worked in one of the institution’s most influential administrative offices.
Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu allegedly pocketed Shs2.17 billion
Principal Research Officer Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu is accused of embezzling Shs2,170,108,000.
The prosecution alleges that the money was diverted between 2023 and May 2026 while he served in Parliament’s Research Department.
Stella Itute accused of stealing Shs75 million
Among the accused is Stella Itute, a Personal Assistant at Parliament.
She is specifically accused of embezzling Shs75,000,000, making hers the smallest individual amount cited in the charge sheet.
Emmanuel Okwi also charged
Principal Protocol Officer Emmanuel Emuron Okwi is also charged with embezzlement.
However, the copy of the charge sheet available to this publication does not show the amount he is alleged to have stolen because part of the page is obscured.
Parliamentary SACCO CEO implicated
Murebe Methods, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Parliamentary Cooperative Savings and Credit Society (SACCO), is also among those charged.
While the available documents do not show an individual embezzlement amount against him, prosecutors have included him in the joint money laundering charges.
Six accused of laundering Shs10.89 billion
In addition to the embezzlement charges, the IGG has jointly charged six of the officials with money laundering.
Those named are:
- Chris Ariko Obore
- Daniel Adilo
- Leonard Okema
- Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu
- Vincent Otebata
- Murebe Methods
The prosecution alleges that between January 2023 and April 2026, the six officials processed, approved and received Shs10,893,071,150, knowing that the money represented proceeds of crime.
The charge is brought under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Billions allegedly lost
The allegations contained in the charge sheets suggest investigators believe Parliament lost more than Shs30.8 billion through the individual embezzlement counts whose amounts are visible in the court documents, excluding the undisclosed amount relating to Emmanuel Okwi and any other charges not fully shown.
The accused are expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court to answer the charges.
Who Allegedly Stole What?
| Rank | Official | Position | Amount Allegedly Embezzled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Adilo | Director of Human Resource | Shs14,608,613,150 |
| 2 | Chris Ariko Obore | Director of Communications & Public Affairs | Shs5,253,100,000 |
| 2 | Vincent Otebata | Capacity Development Officer | Shs5,253,100,000 |
| 4 | Leonard Okema | Executive Secretary, Office of the Speaker | Shs3,489,400,000 |
| 5 | Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu | Principal Research Officer | Shs2,170,108,000 |
| 6 | Stella Itute | Personal Assistant | Shs75,000,000 |
| — | Emmanuel Emuron Okwi | Principal Protocol Officer | Shs1,100,000,000 |
| — | Murebe Methods | CEO, Parliamentary SACCO | Named in money laundering charge; individual embezzlement amount not shown |
