The Anti-Corruption Court has further remanded seven senior Parliament officials accused of embezzlement, money laundering and causing financial loss to government in a multi-billion shilling corruption case until July 27, 2026, as investigations continue.
The officials, who first appeared in court last week, were returned to custody after their case came up for mention. The court did not allow them to take plea on the money laundering charges because such offences fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Among those remanded is Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chris Obore Ariko, who is accused of embezzling Shs5.253 billion in public funds.
Also facing charges is Daniel Adilo, the Director of Human Resource, who prosecutors allege embezzled Shs14.609 billion, the largest amount among the accused.
The other suspects are Leonard Okema, Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker, accused of embezzling Shs3.489 billion; Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, a Principal Research Officer, accused of embezzling Shs2.170 billion; Emmanuel Emuron Okwi, Principal Protocol Officer, accused of embezzling Shs1.105 billion; and Vincent Otebata, Capacity Development Officer, who is accused of embezzling Shs5.253 billion.
The officials are among a wider group of suspects facing charges linked to the alleged misappropriation of more than Shs37 billion from Parliament.
The prosecution alleges that besides embezzlement and causing financial loss, the accused were involved in laundering proceeds of crime through a series of financial transactions. Because money laundering offences can only be tried by the High Court, the Anti-Corruption Court has been handling only the preliminary stages of the case before transferring it for plea taking on those counts.
Background to the Case
The case stems from an investigation by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) into the management of public funds at Parliament between 2023 and May 2026.
According to the charge sheets, investigators allege that billions of shillings were embezzled by senior officials serving in different departments of Parliament. The accused also face allegations of causing financial loss to government and jointly participating in money laundering involving billions of shillings believed to be proceeds of the alleged offences.
The arrests were carried out in a coordinated operation by the IGG on July 2, before the suspects were arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court. They were initially remanded to Luzira Prison until July 7, when the matter was scheduled for mention.
The investigation also extends to other Parliament officials, including Methods Murebe, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Parliamentary Cooperative Savings and Credit Society (SACCO), and Stella Itute, an Office Supervisor in the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, who were named in the original charge sheet in connection with the broader corruption investigation.
The Inspectorate of Government has described the prosecution as part of its commitment to enforcing accountability in the management of public resources, maintaining that no public official is above the law.
The accused remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a competent court. Their case will return to court on July 27, 2026.
