KAMPALA — Seven senior officials from Parliament of Uganda have been remanded to Luzira Prison until July 7, 2026, after appearing before Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe on multiple corruption-related charges filed by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG).
The officials are accused of embezzlement, causing financial loss to government, and money laundering involving billions of shillings allegedly siphoned from Parliament over a period spanning 2023 to May 2026.
The accused include Parliament’s Director of Communications Chris Ariko Obore, Director of Human Resource Adilo Daniel, Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker Okema Leonard, Principal Research Officer Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Principal Protocol Officer Emmanuel Okwi Emuron, Capacity Development Officer Vincent Otebata, and Murebe Methods, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Parliamentary SACCO.
Massive Embezzlement Claims
According to charge sheets presented in court, each official faces individual counts of embezzlement under Section 18(a) and (i)(iii) of the Anti-Corruption Act, Cap 116.
Prosecutors allege that between 2023 and 2026, the accused unlawfully diverted public funds amounting to billions of shillings in their respective roles within Parliament.
Key allegations include: Chris Ariko Obore is accused of allegedly embezzling UGX 5.25 billion, Adilo Daniel is accused of allegedly diverting UGX 14.6 billion, Okema Leonard is accused of allegedly embezzling UGX 3.48 billion, Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu is accused of allegedly misappropriating UGX 2.17 billion, Vincent Otebata is accused of allegedly embezzling UGX 5.25 billion and Murebe Methods, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Parliamentary Cooperative Savings and Credit Society (SACCO), is accused of money laundering, abuse of office and embezzling UGX10.893bn.
Other officials are also facing related counts linked to financial misconduct and abuse of office within Parliamentary structures.
Money Laundering Allegations
In a separate but related charge, prosecutors further accuse six of the officials of participating in a money laundering scheme contrary to Sections 3(b), 119, and 139(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Cap 118.
The prosecution alleges that between January 2023 and April 2026, the accused jointly processed and received approximately UGX 10.89 billion, knowing or having reason to believe that the funds were proceeds of crime.
Those implicated in the money laundering count include Obore, Adilo, Okema, Kaaya Ssemalulu, Otebata, and Murebe Methods.
IGG Reaffirms Anti-Corruption Drive
The Inspectorate of Government confirmed the prosecution and reaffirmed its commitment to fighting corruption and protecting public resources.
“The Inspectorate continues to strengthen integrity in public service and reinforce the principle that no individual is above the law,” IGG said in a statement.
The agency added that decisive enforcement action remains central to safeguarding public funds and restoring accountability in government institutions.
Court Orders Remand
Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe ordered that all seven accused be remanded to Luzira Prison until July 7, 2026, pending further mention of the case.
The prosecution is led by Brenda Kimbugwe Mawanda, Manager Prosecutions, with consent to prosecute granted by Hon. Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, the Inspector General of Government.
Wider Implications
The case marks one of the most significant corruption prosecutions involving Parliament staff in recent years, with allegations pointing to systemic financial mismanagement and coordinated abuse of institutional systems.
Investigations are ongoing as the IGG continues to pursue additional leads related to the alleged multi-billion-shilling scheme.