Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chris Ariko Obore, together with six other senior officials, has been remanded to prison until July 7, 2026, after being charged with embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, and related offences at the Anti-Corruption Court.
The group was arrested earlier on Thursday, July 2, by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) in a sweeping anti-corruption operation targeting alleged diversion of billions of shillings from parliamentary resources between 2023 and May 2026.
According to charge sheets, the accused include:
- Chris Ariko Obore — accused of embezzling UGX 5.253 billion
- Daniel Adilo (Director of Human Resource) — accused of embezzling UGX 14.608 billion
- Leonard Okema (Executive Secretary, Office of the Speaker) — accused of embezzling UGX 3.489 billion
- Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu (Principal Research Officer) — accused of embezzling UGX 2.170 billion
- Vincent Otebata (Capacity Development Officer) — accused of embezzling UGX 5.253 billion
- Stella Itute (Personal Assistant) — accused of embezzling UGX 75 million
- Methods Murebe (CEO, Uganda Parliamentary SACCO)
A joint money laundering count alleges that several of the accused processed, approved, and received approximately UGX 10.893 billion, knowing the funds were proceeds of crime.
The charges were preferred under the Anti-Corruption Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
The case is seen as one of the most significant to hit the parliamentary administration in recent years.
Obore, a longtime public face of Parliament and a vocal defender of the institution during the tenure of former Speaker Anita Annet Among, has found himself at the centre of intensified scrutiny following Among’s exit and ongoing probes into parliamentary finances.
Security agencies had previously raided properties linked to Among as part of broader investigations into alleged corruption and illicit enrichment.
The development comes amid growing public demand for accountability in Parliament, which has faced criticism over extravagant spending, procurement irregularities, and management of public resources.
Court proceedings are expected to continue on July 7 when the accused will appear again before the Anti-Corruption Court.
The IGG, under Inspector General Hon. Lady Justice Aisha Nalule Batala, has signalled that investigations remain active.
This case is likely to fuel further debate on governance and financial oversight within Uganda’s legislature as the 12th Parliament settles in.