The Kachumbala Drivers and Loaders Association has petitioned the Inspector General of Government (IGG), seeking an investigation into the alleged fraudulent use of its members’ identities in the accountability of more than Shs675 million in public funds.
In a petition dated July 2, 2026, the association claims that copies of National Identification Cards and driving permits belonging to its members were used without their consent in accountability documents reportedly submitted under the Parliamentary Commission.
According to the association’s chairperson, Julius Opedun, members were stunned after learning that their personal identification documents had allegedly been attached to financial accountability records despite never receiving the funds in question.
The petition alleges that the documents were used by Chris Obore Ariko to account for millions of shillings in public funds.
“It has come to my attention through the office of the Chairperson, Local Council I, that several identification documents (National IDs and Driving Permits) of my association members were used by Mr. Obore Chris Ariko to account for millions of public funds under the Parliamentary Commission,” part of the petition reads.
The association listed several members whose names allegedly appeared on the accountability documents, together with the amounts reportedly attributed to them. These include Anguri Yazidi (Shs80 million), Ben Okiria (Shs33 million), Ivan Okodol (Shs35 million), Masai Erick (Shs160 million), Etoori Moses (Shs15 million), Olupot Ben (Shs20 million), Kisoke Joseph (Shs50 million), Robert Eretu (Shs60 million), Omuron Stephen (Shs22 million), Olangato Rajab (Shs50 million), Ongima David (Shs70 million), Watwale Fred (Shs70 million), and Omoding Vincent (Shs10 million).
Opedun insists that none of the listed individuals ever received the money allegedly accounted for in their names, describing the incident as a betrayal of vulnerable community members.
“It is regrettable that our plight was used by other people to enrich themselves,” the petition states. “None of my members received the funds allegedly accounted against their names.”
The association argues that the alleged misuse of members’ identities has caused anxiety, exposed them to possible legal consequences, and tarnished their reputation. It is now asking the IGG to establish how the documents were obtained and used, and to hold anyone found responsible accountable.
One of the affected residents, Robert Eretu, denied ever receiving the Shs60 million allegedly recorded against his name. He said he only became aware of the matter after being summoned by the Local Council I chairperson to meet investigators from the IGG.
“My name just appeared, but I have never received the money. I only got to know about it when I was called to the LC1 chairperson’s office to meet officials from the IGG,” Eretu said.
He said the discovery left him terrified.
“When I heard about it, I didn’t know whether to run for my life or suffer for a crime I didn’t commit,” he added.
The LC1 chairperson of Komuriakerei Village in Kachumbala Sub-county, Bukedea District, Musa Iloko, said residents were equally shocked by the allegations, noting that many of those named live in extreme poverty.
“The people who are said to have received the money are struggling even to feed their families. Their lives are miserable, yet huge sums of money are tagged to them. People should be fair. We should be humane and pity the lives of these people,” Iloko said.
He added that news of the alleged fraudulent accountability has left many villagers living in fear as anti-corruption investigations involving senior public officials continue.
According to Opedun, the association’s SACCO had previously sought financial support from several district leaders and Members of Parliament. During that process, members were asked to submit photocopies of their National IDs, NINs and driving permits as part of the application requirements.
He believes those documents may later have been misused to support questionable accountability without the knowledge or consent of the owners.
All the individuals named in the petition are residents of Komuriakerei Village in Kachumbala Sub-county, Bukedea District.
The complaint comes amid ongoing investigations into alleged corruption involving officials attached to Parliament. On July 2, Chris Obore and six other officials were remanded to Luzira Prison until July 7 after appearing before the Anti-Corruption Court on charges of corruption and abuse of office.
Prosecutors allege that the accused participated in fraudulent accountability processes and the misuse of public funds. The accused have denied all the charges.
If substantiated, the latest petition could widen the scope of the investigations by raising questions about whether identities of unsuspecting citizens were used to justify public expenditure without their knowledge.
By the time of publication, IGG spokesperson Ali Munirah had not issued a formal response to the petition.
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