KAMPALA – A corruption scandal involving the alleged theft of more than Shs70 billion from Uganda’s Parliament has widened, drawing in senior parliamentary officials and prompting investigators to examine whether political leaders who served during the period under investigation played any role in the suspected financial irregularities.
Seven senior parliamentary officials have been charged before the Anti-Corruption Court and remanded to Luzira Prison on allegations of corruption, abuse of office, causing financial loss and money laundering. Prosecutors allege the officials illegally obtained public funds through Parliament’s financial systems over several years.
Among those charged is Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chris Obore, alongside senior officials from the human resource and staff welfare departments.
According to investigators from the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), the money was allegedly siphoned through a series of irregular transactions disguised as staff welfare payments, operational expenditures and Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (SACCO) transactions.
The accused deny the allegations and are expected to return to court as investigations continue.
Probe broadens
The investigation has since expanded beyond the initial suspects, with detectives reviewing financial approvals and payments made during the 11th Parliament.
Former Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga is among the political figures whose actions are reportedly being reviewed as investigators examine controversial service award payments and other financial approvals. However, no charges have been brought against him, and there has been no official confirmation that he committed any offence.
The scandal has also renewed scrutiny of former Speaker Anita Among, under whose leadership many of the accused officials served. While she has not been charged in connection with the case, the investigation has reignited debate over financial oversight and accountability within Parliament.
Fresh allegations emerge
As the investigation unfolds, additional allegations have surfaced regarding parliamentary accountability records.
Journalist Dickens Okello shared a document on social media claiming that forged accountability documents may have been used to justify some of the expenditures now under investigation.
According to the document, residents of Bukedea District have alleged that their National Identity Cards and driving permits were used without their knowledge to account for Shs675 million in parliamentary funds.
It further said the Kachumbala Drivers’ Association petitioned the Inspectorate of Government on July 2, 2026, alleging misuse of members’ identities in accountability records.
The document also claimed that one individual, identified as Robert Eretu, was listed as having received Shs60 million but has publicly denied ever receiving the money, saying he was “shocked” to learn his name appeared in the records.
The allegations have not yet been independently verified in court, and investigators have not publicly confirmed the authenticity of the claims.
Calls for accountability
The case has become one of the largest corruption investigations ever involving Uganda’s Parliament, raising fresh questions about financial controls within the institution responsible for overseeing government expenditure and promoting public accountability.
Anti-corruption agencies say investigations remain ongoing and have indicated that additional suspects could be charged if further evidence emerges.
The Inspectorate of Government has urged members of the public with relevant information to cooperate with investigators as efforts continue to establish the full extent of the alleged loss of public funds.
