By Johannah Nantongo
The Anti-Corruption Magistrate’s Court in Kampala has committed several interdicted senior parliamentary officials to the High Court for trial over their alleged involvement in the loss of approximately Shs26 billion intended for government donations, community engagements, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.
The accused persons include Mr Chris Ariko Obore, the interdicted Director of Communications, Mr Daniel Adilo, former Director of Human Resources, Mr Leonard Okema, who served as Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker between 2023 and 2026, Mr Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, former Principal Research Officer, Mr Emmanuel Emuron Okwi, former Principal Protocol Officer, and Mr Vincent Otebata, former Development Officer. Prosecution alleges that the suspects received public funds for parliamentary engagements and CSR activities but failed to implement them, knowing their actions would cause financial loss to the government.
According to the summary of evidence, Mr Adilo allegedly received the largest share of Shs14.1 billion, followed by Mr Obore with Shs5.2 billion, Mr Okema with Shs3.8 billion, and Mr Ssemalulu with Shs1.8 billion. In a separate count, Mr Okwi is accused of taking Shs502 million intended for fuel, subsistence allowances, and transport refunds for central region stakeholder engagements without conducting the activities or returning the funds. Additionally, Mr Obore faces a separate charge of knowingly submitting false accountabilities for Shs2.5 billion allocated for CSR activities between 2023 and 2026.
The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has also indicted Ms Mareebe Methods, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Parliamentary Cooperative SACCO. State prosecutors allege that Ms Mareebe assisted Mr Obore, Mr Adilo, Mr Kaaya, and Mr Otebata in laundering and benefiting from the illicit proceeds, disguised as personal loans and savings within the cooperative.
This case echoes previous high-profile corruption scandals handled by the Anti-Corruption Division involving the misuse of public funds through dubious accountabilities and institutional SACCOs, drawing sharp public scrutiny to the financial operations of the 11th Parliament.
State prosecutors informed the court that they will rely on extensive oral and documentary evidence when the trial commences. Key witnesses set to testify include officials from Cairo Bank, members of the Parliamentary Commission, police investigators, and prospective CSR beneficiaries from across various districts, including Bukedea, Gulu, Mbale, Arua, Koboko, Soroti, and Rakai.
The IGG plans to tender critical documents in evidence, such as parliamentary payment vouchers, loan agreements, bank statements, forensic examination reports, audit reports on CSR expenditures, and internal correspondence.
“Whereupon prosecution shall contend that the accused persons do not have a valid defense or lawful excuse to the charges and shall pray for the court to convict them as indicted,” stated Ms Brenda Kimbugwe Mawanda, the Assistant Director of Prosecutions in the Office of the IGG, in the summary of evidence.
The State maintained that the evidence collected is sufficient to warrant a full trial. The accused persons now await their trial date before the High Court, where the prosecution will present its full case in an attempt to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.