Our Reporter | Kampala — The High Court is set to hear a case involving seven Parliament officials accused of offences that allegedly caused the Government of Uganda a financial loss of Shs27.2 billion.
The officials, among them Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs Chris Obore, were committed to the High Court on Monday after the Inspectorate of Government told the Anti-Corruption Court that investigations into the case had been completed.
Anti-Corruption Court Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe committed the accused to the High Court following an application by Inspectorate of Government prosecutor Daisy Acio.
“Police has concluded investigating the matter. We pray the accused persons be committed to the High Court to stand trial,” Acio told court.
The other officials are Director of Human Resources Daniel Adilo, Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker Leonard Okema, Principal Research Officer Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Principal Protocol Officer Emmanuel Okwi Emuron, Capacity Development Officer Vincent Otebata, Parliamentary Cooperative Savings and Credit Society Limited Chief Executive Officer Methods Murebe, and Stella Itute, a supervisor in the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
The accused face charges of embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering.
Prosecution alleges that the offences were committed at Parliament between 2023 and May 2026, involving funds meant for donations and Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
According to the prosecution, the officials allegedly received and processed funds intended for specific activities but failed to implement the programmes, despite allegedly knowing that their actions would result in financial loss to the Government.
The charge sheet contains separate allegations against the officials.
Obore is accused of allegedly stealing Shs5.25 billion belonging to Parliament, while Adilo is accused of allegedly taking Shs14.6 billion.
Okema is alleged to have stolen Shs3.48 billion, while Ssemalulu faces an allegation involving Shs2.17 billion.
Emuron is accused of allegedly stealing Shs1.1 billion, while Otebata is alleged to have stolen Shs5.25 billion. Itute is accused of allegedly taking Shs75 million.
The prosecution further alleges that the activities resulted in a financial loss of Shs27.2 billion to the Government.
In another aspect of the case, prosecutors allege that between January 2023 and April 2026, all the accused except Itute processed, approved and received Shs10.89 billion, allegedly knowing that the money constituted proceeds of crime.
The prosecution plans to call alleged beneficiaries of the funds as witnesses. They are expected to come from Bukedea, Ngora, Kumi, Serere, Pallisa, Mbale, Kitgum, Arua, Rakai and Soroti districts.
The charges include seven counts of embezzlement under the Anti-Corruption Act, causing financial loss and money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
If convicted, the accused could face lengthy prison sentences. Embezzlement carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment, a fine of up to Shs6.7 million, or both, while causing financial loss attracts a maximum 14-year prison sentence.
Money laundering carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to Shs2 billion, or both.
Those convicted under the relevant anti-corruption provisions may also be disqualified from holding public office for up to 10 years.
The commitment to the High Court means the Anti-Corruption Court has completed the preliminary stage of the case. The prosecution will now be required to prove the allegations against each accused during the trial.
All the accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
