Kampala, Uganda: Fresh details have emerged following Thursday’s dramatic arrests of senior Parliament officials, with the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) accusing three of the suspects of allegedly embezzling more than Shs23.3 billion from the Parliamentary Commission over a three-year period.
The allegations are contained in a charge sheet seen by DailyExpress, which accuses the officials of embezzlement contrary to Sections 18(a) and 18(i)(iii) of the Anti-Corruption Act, Cap. 116.
According to the charge sheet, Parliament’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Chris Ariko Obore, is accused of allegedly embezzling Shs5,253,100,000 between 2023 and May 2026. Prosecutors contend that the money belonged to the Parliament of Uganda and came into his possession by virtue of his employment.
The charge sheet further alleges that Parliament’s Director of Human Resources, Daniel Adilo, unlawfully appropriated Shs14,608,613,150 during the same period. The prosecution claims the funds were public resources entrusted to him in the course of his official duties.
In another count, Leonard Okema, the Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker, is accused of allegedly embezzling Shs3,489,400,000, which prosecutors say was property of Parliament entrusted to him by virtue of his office.
The three officials were arrested on Thursday morning during a coordinated operation by the Inspectorate of Government targeting senior officials at Parliament over allegations of abuse of office and financial mismanagement.
Also arrested during the operation were Principal Research Officer Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu (Shs2.17bn), Principal Protocol Officer Okwi Emmanuel Emuron (Shs1.1bn), Personal Assistant Stella Itute (Shs75m), Capacity Development Officer Vincent Otebata (Shs5.2bn), and Uganda Parliamentary SACCO Chief Executive Officer Methods Murebe.
The arrests mark a significant escalation in the Inspectorate’s ongoing investigation into financial management at Parliament, which has seen several serving and former officials questioned over the past weeks regarding the handling of public funds.
The accused are expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court, where the charges will formally be read and they will be required to enter their pleas.
Under Uganda’s criminal justice system, all the accused remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a competent court of law.
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