Eight senior officials attached to Parliament have been charged with multiple corruption-related offences, including embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering, following their arrest by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) in a widening investigation into the alleged misuse of public funds.
The officials were on Thursday morning attending the ongoing induction retreat for Members of Parliament at Speke Resort Munyonyo when they were instructed to report to the Inspectorate of Government headquarters at Jubilee House to record statements.
However, upon arrival, they found the premises heavily guarded by police and military personnel before they were formally taken into custody.
Those charged are Parliament’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Chris Ariko Obore; Director of Human Resource, Daniel Adilo; Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker, Leonard Okema; Principal Research Officer, Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu; Capacity Development Officer, Vincent Otebata; Personal Assistant, Stella Itute; and Parliamentary SACCO Chief Executive Officer, Methods Murebe. Court documents also indicate an eighth accused person in the case.
According to the charge sheet prepared by IGG Manager for Prosecutions Brenda Kimbugwe Mawanda, the officials are accused of embezzling billions of shillings in public funds between 2023 and May 2026 while serving in various capacities at Parliament.
The prosecution alleges that Chris Obore embezzled Shs5.253 billion, Daniel Adilo Shs14.608 billion, Leonard Okema Shs3.489 billion, Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu Shs2.17 billion, Vincent Otebata Shs5.253 billion, while Stella Itute allegedly embezzled Shs75 million.
The accused face charges of embezzlement contrary to Section 18(a) and (i)(iii) of the Anti-Corruption Act, Cap 116. Prosecutors contend that they unlawfully converted public funds that had come into their possession by virtue of their official positions.
They have also been charged with causing financial loss under Section 19(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act.
In addition, six of the accused, Chris Obore, Daniel Adilo, Leonard Okema, Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Vincent Otebata and Methods Murebe, are jointly facing charges of money laundering contrary to Sections 3(b) and (e), 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 processed, approved and received Shs10.893 billion, knowing that the funds were proceeds of crime.
The charges were instituted with the consent of the Inspector General of Government, Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala.
Earlier in the day, IGG officials said the suspects had initially been invited to record statements as part of ongoing investigations before they were formally arrested following questioning.
The accused are expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court to answer the charges.
The arrests mark the latest development in an expanding investigation into alleged financial impropriety within Parliament. Over the past several weeks, a number of parliamentary officials have been questioned by investigators over allegations that public funds were withdrawn through personal accounts and irregularly utilised.
Former Speaker Anita Annet Among has not been arrested or charged in connection with the investigations. However, security agencies have previously searched her residences in Kampala, Kigo and Bukedea, as well as her former office at Parliament, as investigators continue to gather evidence relating to the management of parliamentary resources during her tenure.
Investigators have also searched several offices within Parliament as part of efforts to establish the extent of the alleged financial irregularities.
By Thursday afternoon, neither Parliament nor the Inspectorate of Government had issued an official statement regarding the arrests. The accused remained in custody pending their appearance before the Anti-Corruption Court.
The charges are allegations, and all the accused remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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