The High Court has granted interdicted Parliament Communications Director Chris Obore Shs30 million cash bail and ordered him to deposit his passport and a land title with court as security.
Obore and six other senior Parliament officials have been committed to the High Court for trial over alleged corruption and embezzlement involving approximately Shs31.95 billion in public funds.
The seven were committed to the High Court by the Anti Corruption Court in Kampala after prosecutors presented evidence linking them to the alleged loss of billions of shillings at Parliament.
Those committed are Obore, director of communications; Daniel Adilo, director of human resource; Leonard Okema, executive secretary in the Office of the Speaker; Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, principal research officer; Emmanuel Okwi Emuron, principal protocol officer; Vincent Otebata, capacity development officer; and Murebe Methods, chief executive officer of the Parliamentary SACCO.
Appearing before court earlier today, the seven were granted bail under stringent conditions. Obore’s sureties were each bonded at Shs300 million, not in cash.
His co accused Murebe Muhanuka, Rajab Kaaya and Emmanuel Okwi were each granted Shs20 million cash bail, while Daniel Adilo and Leonard Okema were each granted Shs35 million cash bail.
Vincent Otebata was granted Shs 30 million cash bail. All the accused were also required to provide sureties bonded at Shs 300 million each and report to the registrar on the first Monday of every month.
According to court documents, Obore is accused of embezzling Shs5.253 billion, while Adilo allegedly diverted the largest amount, Shs14.609 billion, during his tenure as director of human resource.
Okema is charged with embezzlement involving Shs3.489 billion, while Kaaya Ssemalulu is accused of diverting Shs2.170 billion.
Okwi Emuron allegedly embezzled Shs1.1 billion, while Otebata is facing charges of embezzling Shs5.253 billion. The prosecution says the alleged fraud resulted in a total loss of approximately Shs31.95 billion.
“The investigations established sufficient evidence to support charges of embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering against the accused persons,” prosecution states in the court documents.
The accused are also jointly charged with money laundering. Prosecutors allege that Okema, Obore, Adilo, Kaaya Ssemalulu, Otebata and Murebe Methods, between January 2023 and April 2026, processed, approved and received Shs10.893 billion, knowing that the funds were proceeds of crime.
“The accused persons knowingly processed, approved and received Shs10,893,071,150, being proceeds of crime, contrary to the Anti Money Laundering Act,” reads part of the indictment.
Meanwhile, court last month issued a warrant of arrest against Stella Itute, an office supervisor in the Sergeant at Arms Department at Parliament, to answer charges related to the alleged embezzlement of parliamentary funds.
The warrant was issued by Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe as investigations into the multi billion shilling fraud at Parliament continue to unfold, with several senior officials being implicated.
According to court records, Itute is among Parliament staff accused of diverting public funds for personal use between 2023 and May 2026, allegedly causing substantial financial loss to the institution.
