Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chris Obore Ariko, has applied to the High Court for bail as he awaits trial over allegations of corruption and money laundering linked to the alleged mismanagement of more than Shs27 billion at Parliament.
Obore, who is on remand at Murchison Bay Prison in Luzira, filed the application under the Constitution and the Trial on Indictments Act, arguing that bail is a constitutional right and that the offences against him are bailable.
In an affidavit, the 52-year-old says he was arrested on July 2 and charged with embezzlement and money laundering before being remanded to prison.
He states that he has a permanent residence in Kyaggwe, Mutuba IV, Goma Division in Mukono Municipality, where he is willing to remain throughout the trial if granted bail.
Obore also told the court that he is the sole provider for his family, which has struggled to meet basic needs, including food, school fees, clothing and medical expenses since his incarceration.
He further pledged to comply with all court requirements, saying he would attend court whenever required, would not interfere with investigations or prosecution witnesses, and had no intention of fleeing the country.
He also maintained that he has no previous criminal convictions and has substantial sureties ready to guarantee his attendance.
The bail application arose when Obore and his co-accused appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court for mention before Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe.
His lawyer, Richard Omongole, informed the court that there had been confusion over which court should hear the bail application, explaining that although an application had already been filed, clarification was needed on jurisdiction.
He asked the magistrate to forward the case file to the High Court to enable the bail application to be considered.
Counsel Asuman Basalirwa, representing co-accused Emmanuel Emuron Okwi, said the defence had prepared all the necessary sureties and documentation for bail.
He also argued that the prosecution could separate the charges against Obore, Okwi and Leonard Okema from those of the remaining accused to allow their cases to proceed independently.
However, State Attorney Daisy Acio, representing the Inspectorate of Government, opposed hearing the bail application before the magistrate. She argued that because the charge sheet includes money laundering offences, jurisdiction lies with the High Court.
Acio told the court that investigations were in advanced stages and requested more time for the prosecution to complete inquiries and prepare committal papers before the case is transferred to the High Court for trial.
Lawyers representing other accused persons questioned why suspects had been charged with serious offences before investigations had been concluded, arguing that the Magistrates Court still retained powers to hear bail applications for accused persons not facing money laundering charges.
In her ruling, Magistrate Asiimwe clarified that since the matter was before her only for mention, any application for bail would be determined by the High Court.
She adjourned the case to allow the Inspectorate of Government to complete investigations and prepare the indictment for trial.
Obore is jointly charged with Parliament’s Director of Human Resource Daniel Adilo, Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker Leonard Okema, Principal Research Officer Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Principal Protocol Officer Emmanuel Emuron Okwi, Capacity Development Officer Vincent Otebata, Uganda Parliamentary SACCO Chief Executive Officer Methods Murebe and Office Supervisor Stella Itute, who was charged in absentia.
Prosecutors allege that the accused embezzled more than Shs27.2 billion intended for parliamentary donations and corporate social responsibility programmes, causing significant financial loss to the Parliamentary Commission.
Six of the accused, including Obore, also face money laundering charges involving Shs10.893 billion, which the prosecution alleges were proceeds of crime. Because money laundering cases are triable only by the High Court, none of the accused has yet entered a plea.
The accused were remanded back to Luzira Prison and are expected to return to court on July 27, 2026.
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