KAMPALA, Uganda — July 7, 2026 — The Anti-Corruption Court has further remanded seven senior Parliament officials accused of embezzlement, money laundering and causing financial loss to July 27, 2026, after prosecutors informed the court that investigations into the high-profile corruption case are in their final stages.
The accused include Chris Obore Ariko, 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.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, state prosecutors told the Anti-Corruption Magistrate’s Court that investigations had reached an advanced stage but requested more time to complete inquiries before the matter could proceed further.
The court granted the request and ordered that all the accused remain on remand until July 27, 2026, when the case will return for mention.
The seven officials are facing charges of embezzlement, money laundering and causing financial loss arising from alleged financial irregularities involving billions of shillings in parliamentary funds.
According to the charge sheet, Chris Obore is accused of embezzling Shs5.253 billion, while Daniel Adilo is alleged to have embezzled Shs14.609 billion, the largest amount among the accused.
Leonard Okema, Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker, is accused of embezzling Shs3.489 billion, while Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Principal Research Officer, is alleged to have embezzled Shs2.170 billion.
The prosecution further alleges that Emmanuel Emuron Okwi, Principal Protocol Officer, embezzled Shs1.105 billion, while Vincent Otebata, Capacity Development Officer, is accused of embezzling Shs5.253 billion.
The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of parliamentary funds between 2023 and 2026. Prosecutors contend that the accused participated in a scheme involving the diversion of public funds, unlawful financial transactions and the laundering of proceeds derived from the alleged offences.
Authorities have previously indicated that the wider investigation extends beyond the seven officials, with detectives examining procurement records, payment vouchers, bank transactions and internal approval documents as they seek to establish the full extent of the alleged financial misconduct within Parliament.
The case has become one of the most significant corruption investigations involving Uganda’s legislature in recent years, attracting widespread public and political attention amid calls for greater accountability in the management of public resources.
The accused have not yet entered pleas to the charges, and all allegations remain before the court. Under Ugandan law, they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
