Seven senior Parliament officials accused of embezzlement, money laundering, abuse of office, and causing financial loss reappeared before Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Court today as investigations into an alleged multi-billion corruption scandal within Parliament continue to widen.
The officials were remanded to Luzira Prison last week after prosecutors from the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) accused them of participating in the irregular diversion and processing of more than Shs27 billion in public funds linked to parliamentary operations between 2023 and 2026.
Those facing charges include Chris Obore, Parliament’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs; Daniel Adilo, Director of Human Resource; Leonard Okema, Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker; Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Principal Research Officer; Emmanuel Emuron Okwi, Principal Protocol Officer; Vincent Otebata, Capacity Development Officer; and Methods Murebe, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Parliamentary SACCO.
According to investigators, the accused officials are suspected to have participated in a network of financial irregularities involving procurement systems, administrative expenditures, welfare allocations, and SACCO-related transactions inside Parliament.
Prosecutors allege that part of the money was processed through questionable approvals, inflated payments, unauthorized expenditures, and transactions allegedly designed to conceal the movement of public funds.
The money laundering charges suggest investigators suspect some funds may have been transferred through private accounts or related entities to disguise their origin.
The case has become one of Uganda’s most politically sensitive anti-corruption investigations because it directly affects Parliament — the institution constitutionally mandated to oversee accountability and public expenditure.
The probe also follows years of growing public criticism surrounding Parliament’s expenditure, procurement systems, service awards, and accountability practices.
In recent years, anti-corruption activists and civil society groups have repeatedly organized protests demanding greater transparency within Parliament and investigations into senior officials linked to alleged misuse of public resources.
Investigators attached to the IGG and other state agencies have reportedly conducted searches at offices and premises linked to some of the suspects, recovering procurement files, electronic devices, payment records, and financial documents believed to be relevant to the investigations.
Meanwhile, former Speaker Anita Annet Among, who currently serves as Bukedea Woman MP, is expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court at 10:00 a.m. amid reports that prosecutors have finalized preparations for possible charges against her.
Sources familiar with the investigations indicate that although the wider anti-corruption operation is being led by the IGG, some charges intended against Among could first be read before the General Court Martial — a development that has already triggered debate among lawyers and political observers over jurisdiction and the increasing involvement of military courts in high-profile civilian cases.
Among has consistently denied wrongdoing and previously described corruption allegations against her as politically motivated. She has also faced international scrutiny in recent years, including sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom and the United States over corruption-related allegations.
Today’s court proceedings are expected to determine whether the seven officials remain on remand as investigators continue tracing procurement approvals, expenditure records, bank transactions, and financial flows linked to the widening Parliament corruption probe.
