The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has granted bail to former Parliament Director of Communications and Public Affairs Chris Obore and six other people facing charges linked to the alleged misappropriation of Shs27.2 billion at Parliament.
Justice Michael Elubu granted the seven accused bail on Wednesday after considering their applications and submissions from their lawyers and the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), which had opposed their release.
The accused are facing charges of embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering over funds allegedly allocated to Parliament for donations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
Under the bail conditions, the accused will pay cash bail ranging from Shs20 million to Shs35 million. They are also required to surrender their passports to the Registrar of the Anti-Corruption Court and report to the Deputy Registrar on the first Monday of every month.
The court further ordered the accused to deposit certificates of title and other property documents presented by their sureties as security. Each accused is required to have sureties bound to a non-cash security of Shs300 million.
Justice Elubu clarified that the Shs300 million undertaking does not require the sureties to pay the money in cash. Instead, the amount is secured by property documents deposited with the court. He warned that the properties could be forfeited to the State if any of the accused fails to comply with the court’s conditions or absconds.
Obore, represented by lawyer Richard Omongole, was granted Shs30 million cash bail, secured by the certificate of title for his residence in Kiwanga.
Parliamentary SACCO Chief Executive Officer Methods Mureebe was granted Shs20 million cash bail, with the title for his residence in Goma Cell submitted as security.
Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu was also granted Shs20 million cash bail, backed by a certificate of purchase for his home in Kyebando, while Emmanuel Okwi was granted Shs20 million cash bail, with a certificate of title for property in Kyaggwe presented as security.
Former Parliament Director of Human Resources Daniel Adilo was granted Shs35 million cash bail, secured by a land title in Kyaggwe.
Former Executive Secretary to the Speaker Leonard Okema was granted Shs35 million cash bail against the title of his home in Katale, Bugema, in Kyengera.
Vincent Otebata was granted Shs30 million cash bail, with a certificate of purchase for land in Busukuma forming part of the security.
The bail applications were filed in July 2026, with the defence teams arguing that their clients had fixed places of residence, substantial sureties and were willing to comply with any conditions imposed by court.
Mureebe’s lawyer, Apollo Makubuya, told court that his client has a permanent residence in Sonde, Mukono Municipality, and medical conditions that require regular treatment. He presented his passport, National Identity Card, a Local Council introduction letter and medical records in support of the application.
His proposed sureties included Rubaabo County MP Mathias Mwesigwa, Rukungiri District Woman MP Mary Paula Turyahikayo Kebirungi, Ministry of Finance Commissioner Ambrose Promise, Makerere University Professor Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye and his wife, Florence Nankabirwa Kabanda.
Adilo’s lawyer, Alfred Oryem Okello, said his 38-year-old client has a permanent residence in Najjera and presented a land title and valuation report to support his application.
Obore’s lawyers told court that he has permanent residences in Mukono and Bukedea districts, while Kaaya’s defence team said he has permanent homes in Kyebando and Masanafu.
Okema’s lawyer, Joseph Angule, told court that his client resides in Kyengera Town Council and was prepared to use his residential property as security.
The IGG, represented by a team led by lawyer Daisy Acio, opposed the applications, arguing that investigations were still ongoing and that some of the accused could interfere with witnesses, several of whom are Parliament employees.
The State also challenged some of the documents presented by the accused and their sureties, including property titles, valuation reports and the suitability of some of the proposed sureties.
Prosecutors specifically argued that Mureebe could interfere with witnesses because he remains the Chief Executive Officer of the Parliamentary SACCO. They also told court that investigations had not been completed and requested additional time to conclude them.
Justice Elubu, however, questioned the basis of the State’s claim that the accused were likely to interfere with witnesses and asked prosecutors to provide evidence supporting the allegation.
The judge also scrutinised some of the property documents presented as security, particularly documents relating to jointly owned property where powers of attorney had not been provided.
According to the IGG, all the accused except Mureebe received funds intended for Parliament’s donations and CSR programmes but allegedly failed to implement the activities, causing a financial loss of Shs27.201 billion to the Government.
Adilo is separately accused of embezzling Shs14 billion, while Kaaya faces an allegation of embezzling Shs2.1 billion. Okema is separately accused of embezzling Shs3.4 billion.
Obore, Adilo, Okema, Kaaya, Otebata and Mureebe also face charges of money laundering.
The accused have denied the allegations and remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.
They have been in custody since July 2, 2026, and are expected to be released after meeting all the bail conditions imposed by the court.
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