Chris Obore (4th Right) appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala with his colleagues today, July 7th 2026
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Anti-Corruption Court has further remanded Parliament Director of Communications and Public Affairs Chris Obore Ariko and six other senior parliamentary officials to Luzira Prison after prosecutors said investigations into the alleged multi-billion-shilling corruption scandal are still incomplete.
The accused appeared before Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe on Tuesday hoping to secure bail. However, the court declined to consider their applications after the prosecution informed the magistrate that inquiries into the case were still ongoing and because the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain bail applications involving the capital offence of money laundering.
The case was adjourned to July 27, 2026, extending the suspects’ stay on remand while Obore prepares to seek bail before the High Court, which has the legal mandate to hear such applications.
Magistrate Asiimwe said her court was constrained by law because the most serious offence on the charge sheet—money laundering—is triable only by the High Court.
“The offence of money laundering is only triable by the High Court. This court therefore has no jurisdiction to entertain the bail applications,” Asiimwe ruled before remanding all the accused until July 27.
The prosecution, led by officials from the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), told court that investigations are in advanced stages but have not yet been concluded, necessitating additional time before the matter can proceed.
The seven accused are facing nine criminal counts, including embezzlement, money laundering and causing financial loss to the government, arising from the alleged misappropriation of an estimated Shs70 billion between January 2023 and May 2026.
According to the prosecution, the money had been appropriated by Parliament to finance donations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities but was instead fraudulently approved, processed and shared among the accused without the intended programmes being implemented.
The largest amount is attributed to Parliament’s Director of Human Resources, Daniel Adilo, who is accused of embezzling Shs14.609 billion.
Obore and Capacity Development Officer Vincent Otebata each face allegations of embezzling Shs5.253 billion.
Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker Leonard Okema is accused of embezzling Shs3.489 billion, while Principal Research Officer Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu allegedly misappropriated Shs2.170 billion.
Principal Protocol Officer Emmanuel Emuron Okwi is charged with embezzling Shs1.105 billion, while Office Supervisor and Personal Assistant Stella Itute, who has been charged in absentia, allegedly received Shs75 million.
Beyond the embezzlement allegations, prosecutors contend that six of the accused, including Obore and Uganda Parliamentary SACCO Chief Executive Officer Methods Murebe, engaged in money laundering involving Shs10.893 billion, allegedly knowing the funds were proceeds of crime.
The money laundering charge significantly raises the legal stakes because it is treated as a capital offence under Uganda’s anti-money laundering laws, placing jurisdiction exclusively in the High Court for both trial and bail applications.
The prosecution maintains that the accused abused their positions of trust within Parliament by authorising and receiving billions of shillings intended for public programmes before allegedly diverting the funds for personal benefit.
The scandal has become one of the biggest corruption cases involving officials of Parliament in recent years, both because of the huge sums involved and the seniority of the accused public officers.
With investigations still underway, prosecutors are expected to present additional evidence before the matter is eventually committed to the High Court for trial.
Until then, the accused will remain on remand at Luzira Prison unless they successfully obtain bail from the High Court, where Obore is expected to file an application seeking his temporary release as the corruption and money laundering investigations continue.
About the Author
