The Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chris Ariko Obore, and six other senior parliamentary officials have been remanded to prison until July 7th, 2026, after appearing before the Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero on multiple charges, including embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the government.
The prosecution alleged that the officials collectively embezzled more than UGX 31.825 billion and were involved in laundering proceeds of the alleged offences.
Those charged include Obore; Methods Murebe, the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Parliamentary Cooperative Savings and Credit Society Ltd (SACCO); Daniel Adilo, the Director Human Resource; Leonard Okema, the Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker; Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, the Principal Research Officer; Emmanuel Emuron Okwi, the Principal Protocol Officer; and Vincent Otebata, the Capacity Development Office.
According to the charge sheet, prosecutors alleged that Obore embezzled UGX 5.2 billion, Adilo UGX 4.6 billion, Okema UGX 3.48 billion, Kaaya UGX 2.17 billion, Oteba UGX 5.2 billion, while other accused persons are alleged to have received varying sums, bringing the alleged total amount to approximately UGX 31.825 billion.
The prosecution further alleged that between January 2023 and April 2026, Obore, and his accomplices jointly processed, approved and received over UGX 10. 893 billion, knowing at the time of processing and receipt the funds were proceeds of crime. The allegation forms part of the money laundering charges before the court.
One of the suspects was reportedly hospitalized before the group was jointly charged.
The Anti-Corruption Court remanded all the accused until July 7th, 2026, when they are expected to return for further proceedings as investigations and prosecution of the case continue.
This follows an operation by the Inspectorate of Government into the alleged mismanagement of public funds within Parliament.
