Eye Media Reporter | 2 July 2026

KAMPALA – The Anti-Corruption Court has remanded Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chris Obore, together with six other current and former parliamentary officials, to Luzira Prison until July 7, 2026, after they were arraigned on multiple corruption-related charges arising from the alleged theft of more than Shs31.8 billion in public funds.

The seven accused appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court on Thursday, where prosecutors from the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) charged them with nine criminal counts, including embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering.

Those remanded are Chris Obore, Daniel Adilo, Leonard Okema, Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Okwi Emmanuel Emuron, Stella Itute, and Vincent Otebata.

According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly abused their positions within Parliament between 2023 and May 2026 to embezzle billions of shillings entrusted to them by virtue of their employment.

Court documents indicate that Daniel Adilo is accused of embezzling Shs14.6 billion, the highest amount among the accused. Chris Obore and Vincent Otebata are each accused of embezzling more than Shs5.2 billion, while Leonard Okema allegedly embezzled Shs3.48 billion. Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu is accused of stealing Shs2.17 billion, Okwi Emmanuel Emuron Shs1.1 billion, and Stella Itute Shs75 million.

Prosecutors further allege that some of the accused participated in laundering proceeds of crime amounting to Shs10.89 billion, money they allegedly knew had been unlawfully obtained from Parliament.

However, the Anti-Corruption Court did not take pleas on the money laundering charges after it emerged that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear such offences.

The money laundering charges will instead be handled by the High Court (Anti-Corruption Division), which has the legal mandate to try such cases.

Following the court session, the magistrate ordered that all the accused be remanded to Luzira Prison until July 7, 2026, when they are expected to return for further proceedings.

The prosecution is being led by the Inspectorate of Government, which has intensified investigations into the alleged misuse of public funds within Parliament.

The case is expected to attract nationwide attention, given the senior positions held by the accused and the magnitude of the money allegedly lost. It also comes at a time when public demand for accountability and transparency in the management of taxpayers’ money remains high.

If convicted, the accused face severe penalties under Uganda’s anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws, including lengthy prison sentences, hefty fines, confiscation of assets and recovery of any public funds found to have been unlawfully acquired.

The accused, however, remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.

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