Eye Media Reporter | 2 July 2026
KAMPALA – Uganda’s Parliament has been rocked by one of the biggest corruption scandals in its history after the Inspector General of Government (IGG) charged seven current and former parliamentary officials with allegedly embezzling more than Shs31.8 billion in public funds.
The sweeping prosecution targets senior officials who, according to charge sheets seen by Eye Media, allegedly diverted billions of taxpayers’ money between 2023 and May 2026 while serving in various influential positions within Parliament.
Among those charged is Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chris Obore, who is accused of embezzling Shs5.2 billion. Also facing prosecution is Daniel Adilo, who is alleged to have stolen Shs14.6 billion, the largest amount among all the accused.
Others named on the charge sheet include Leonard Okema, accused of embezzling Shs3.48 billion; Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, a Principal Research Officer, accused of stealing Shs2.17 billion; Okwi Emmanuel Emuron, accused of embezzling Shs1.1 billion; Stella Itute, accused of stealing Shs75 million; and Vincent Otebata, a Capacity Development Officer, accused of embezzling Shs5.253 billion.
The prosecution alleges that the accused exploited their official positions and access to public funds to unlawfully appropriate money belonging to Parliament.
According to the charge sheet, each suspect faces separate counts of embezzlement contrary to Section 18(a) and (i)(iii) of the Anti-Corruption Act, Cap 116.
Court documents indicate that Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu allegedly stole Shs2,170,108,000 between 2023 and May 2026 while serving as Principal Research Officer. Prosecutors claim the money belonged to Parliament and that he had access to it solely because of his employment.
Similarly, Vincent Otebata is accused of stealing Shs5,253,100,000 while serving as Capacity Development Officer during the same period.
Beyond the embezzlement charges, the accused are also facing allegations of money laundering.
According to the documents, Leonard Okema, Chris Obore, Daniel Adilo, Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Vincent Otebata and Murebe Methods, the Chief Executive Officer of the Parliamentary SACCO, allegedly processed, approved and received Shs10,893,071,150 between January 2023 and April 2026 despite allegedly knowing the money was proceeds of crime.
The prosecution says the transactions amounted to laundering funds that had allegedly been fraudulently obtained from Parliament.
The charges were sanctioned by Inspector General of Government Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, while Brenda Kimbugwe Mawanda, the Manager of Prosecutions, signed the charge sheet on behalf of the IGG.
The prosecution represents one of the most significant corruption cases involving officials attached to Parliament in recent years and is expected to attract widespread public interest as it progresses through the Anti-Corruption Court.
If convicted, the accused could face severe penalties under Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, including lengthy prison sentences, substantial fines, confiscation of assets and orders requiring them to refund any money found to have been unlawfully acquired.
The case is likely to intensify public debate about accountability, transparency and financial management within Parliament, an institution constitutionally mandated to oversee the use of public resources by other government agencies.
The accused are expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court to answer the charges. However, under Ugandan law, all accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.
Have a comment on this story or an opinion to share? Reach us via editor@eyemediauganda.com or WhatsApp +256 778 225232. Eye Media welcomes your news tips, comments and opinions for publication.
