Former Speaker Anita Among’s case file has reportedly been forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal review as investigations into alleged corruption, money laundering and illicit enrichment at Parliament enter a critical stage.
The development follows months of investigations by a multi-agency team probing allegations of financial impropriety involving Parliament and several government agencies.
The probe, reportedly sanctioned by President Yoweri Museveni, has identified Among as one of the key persons under investigation.
Sources familiar with the matter say investigators have now completed their inquiries into allegations concerning the former Speaker and submitted a case file to the DPP for assessment and guidance on possible criminal charges.
The potential charges under consideration are understood to include abuse of office, discrepancies in declared assets, and the management of public funds allocated to Parliament.
As part of the investigation, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), forensic experts and operatives from the Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS) reportedly conducted searches at several properties linked to Among in Nakasero, Kigo, Ntinda and Bukedea. Several vehicles associated with the former Speaker were also reportedly seized during the operation.
According to sources, CID Director Major Tom Magambo later presented a report on the investigation to President Museveni after the completion of the initial phase of inquiries.
The President is said to have directed that the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) join the final phase of the investigation to address outstanding evidentiary issues before the matter could be referred to the DPP. The move reportedly extended the investigation by several weeks.
Last week, the Inspectorate of Government and CID summoned a number of Parliament staff members to record final statements at the Inspectorate’s offices.
Among those summoned was Chris Obore Ariko, the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Parliament. He and several other senior officials were later arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court on various charges and were barred from returning to Parliament while their cases proceed.
Other officials charged include Daniel Adilo, the Director of Human Resource; Leonard Okema, Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker; Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Principal Research Officer; and Emmanuel Emuron Okwi, Principal Protocol Officer.
In a related development, Capacity Development Officer Vincent Otebata was remanded to Luzira Prison on charges including corruption, embezzlement, money laundering and causing financial loss estimated at Shs37 billion. The accused persons are expected to reappear before the Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday.
The forwarding of Among’s case file to the DPP marks another significant step in the ongoing investigations, although the prosecution authority will determine whether the available evidence is sufficient to support criminal charges.
By press time, the Inspectorate of Government had not officially confirmed the development. Efforts to obtain a comment from the Inspectorate’s spokesperson, Munira Ali, were unsuccessful as phone calls went unanswered.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner of Police Kituuma Rusoke said he had not yet been briefed on the latest developments in the investigation.
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