IGG charges six Parliament officials with embezzlement, money laundering over Shs35bn
In addition to the embezzlement charges, all six officials jointly face a charge of money laundering contrary to Sections 3(b), 119 and 139(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
KAMPALA, July 2, 2026 — The Inspector General of Government [ IGG ] has charged six current and former officials of the Parliament of Uganda with multiple counts of embezzlement and money laundering involving more than Shs 35 billion allegedly misappropriated between 2023 and 2026.
According to the charge sheet, the accused are Chris Ariko Obore, Director of Communications and Public Affairs; Daniel Adilo, Director of Human Resource; Leonard Okema, Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker; Rajab Kaaya, Principal Research Officer; Vincent Otchebita, Capacity Development Officer; and Methods Murebe, Chief Executive Officer of the Parliamentary SACCO.
The prosecution alleges that while serving as Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Obore embezzled Shs5,253,100,000 between 2023 and May 2026. The money is said to have been property of Parliament to which he had access by virtue of his employment.
Adilo is accused of embezzling Shs14,608,613,150 during the same period while serving as Director of Human Resource.
Okema, who served as Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker, is charged with allegedly embezzling Shs3,489,400,000 between 2023 and May 2026.
In addition to the embezzlement charges, all six officials jointly face a charge of money laundering contrary to Sections 3(b), 119 and 139(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
The prosecution alleges that between January 2023 and April 2026, the accused processed, approved and received Shs10,893,071,150, allegedly knowing that the funds were proceeds of crime.
The charge sheet states that the money laundering charge relates to their respective positions within Parliament and the Parliamentary SACCO, where they allegedly participated in processing and receiving the funds.
The charges were preferred by Brenda Kimbugwe Mawanda, Manager of Prosecutions in the Office of the Inspector General of Government, with the consent of Inspector General of Government Justice Annette Nalujja Aisha Batala.
The accused are expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court to answer the charges.
If convicted, the court will determine their guilt and any appropriate penalties. The charges remain allegations, and the accused are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
