By Patrick Okino
Eight senior officials attached to the Parliament of Uganda have been charged before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala over the alleged embezzlement of more than Shs32 billion and remanded to Luzira prison.
The officials, arraigned on July 2, include Chris Obore, Director of Communications and Public Affairs; Daniel Adilo, Director of Human Resource Management; Leonard Okema, Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker; Raja Kaaya Ssemalu, Principal Research Officer; Emmanuel Okwi Emuren, Principal Protocol Officer; Vincent Otebata, Capacity Development Officer; Murebe Methods, Executive Officer of the Parliamentary Cooperative Savings and Credit Society (SACCO) and were remanded till 7th July.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly embezzled public funds between 2023 and May 2026 while serving in various positions at Parliament.
The prosecution alleges that Chris Obore embezzled Shs5.2 billion, Daniel Adilo Shs14.48 billion, Leonard Okema Shs3.4 billion, Rajab Kaaya Ssemalu Shs2.17 billion, Emmanuel Okwi Emuren Shs1.1 billion, Vincent Otebata Shs5.2 billion, and Stella Itute Shs75 million. The charges against Murebe Methods were also presented before the court.
One of the charge sheets states that Obore, while serving as Director of Communications and Public Affairs, allegedly stole Shs5.2 billion, property belonging to Parliament, to which he had access by virtue of his office.
“During the period of 2023 to May 2026 at Parliament of Uganda, while employed as Director of Communications and Public Affairs, he stole Shs5.2 billion, the property of his employer, which he had access to by virtue of his employment,” the charge sheet reads.
The arrests and prosecutions come amid ongoing investigations involving former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among, who is being investigated over allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and money laundering.
Security operatives searched Among’s office at Parliament as well as several of her properties in Kampala and Wakiso districts. Her residences in Nakasero, Ntinda, Kigo, and Bukedea District were also searched as part of the ongoing investigations.
The accused were charged before the Anti-Corruption Court, and investigations into the alleged misuse of public funds are continuing.