It was a tense courtroom scene as senior Parliament officials, including Director of Communication Chris Obore, were paraded before the Anti-Corruption Court over a massive corruption scandal involving more than UGX 27 billion. The accused officials, drawn from Parliament’s executive, research, protocol, HR and capacity development departments, were each read multiple charges of embezzlement linked […]
It was a tense courtroom scene as senior Parliament officials, including Director of Communication Chris Obore, were paraded before the Anti-Corruption Court over a massive corruption scandal involving more than UGX 27 billion.
The accused officials, drawn from Parliament’s executive, research, protocol, HR and capacity development departments, were each read multiple charges of embezzlement linked to funds allegedly accessed over a three-year period.
Billions allegedly stolen per official
Court was told that the accused officials are alleged to have participated in the embezzlement and mismanagement of funds running into more than UGX 27.2 billion, said to have been accessed through their positions within Parliament between 2023 and May 2026.
The prosecution outlined individual counts of embezzlement, painting a picture of what it described as systematic abuse of office. Obore is accused of allegedly taking about UGX 5.253 billion, while other officials were linked to varying sums, including UGX 14.6 billion, UGX 3.48 billion, UGX 2.17 billion, UGX 1.1 billion and over UGX 5 billion in separate counts.
The court also heard that the accused jointly face a charge of causing financial loss to government. It is alleged that funds meant for parliamentary donations and corporate social responsibility activities were received, but the intended projects were never implemented, resulting in a reported loss of UGX 27.2 billion.
In a further twist, prosecutors read out a ninth count of money laundering involving approximately UGX 10.89 billion, alleging that the accused knowingly processed and received funds suspected to be proceeds of crime. However, the court indicated it could not take plea on that count due to lack of jurisdiction at that stage, effectively halting proceedings on that charge.
Despite the weight of the allegations, the accused persons were not asked to enter pleas during the session. Instead, the magistrate directed that the matter be handled through the committal process, paving the way for the case to move to the High Court for trial.
Court further indicated that hearing dates would be set within available registry schedules, leaving the accused under ongoing judicial process as investigations and prosecution preparations continue.
On the first count, prosecutors charged Chris Obore with embezzlement contrary to Section 18A of the Anti-Corruption Act, alleging that he stole about UGX 5.253 billion, funds said to be the property of Parliament and accessed through his official position.
Other accused officials were similarly charged with embezzlement under Section 18 of the Anti-Corruption Act, with allegations that they individually diverted varying sums, including billions of shillings linked to their respective offices and access to institutional funds.
In addition, court was read a ninth count of money laundering brought under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Sections 3(b) and (e), 119 and 139. The prosecution alleged that the accused persons knowingly processed and received approximately UGX 10.893 billion believed to be proceeds of crime.
Those implicated include the Director of Human Resource Adilo Daniel, Personal Assistant to Parliament Tuta Stella, Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker Okema Leonard, Principal Protocol Officer Okwi Emmanuel, along with other senior staff identified as Otebata Vincent Capacity Development Officer and Rajaab Kaalya, Principal Research Oficer.
Itute was absent in court.
The case was adjourned until July 07 as the accused have been remanded.
