The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has issued a warrant of arrest against Stella Itute, the 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 a multi-billion shilling fraud at Parliament continue to unfold, implicating several senior officials.
According to court records, Itute is among a group of Parliament staff accused of diverting public funds for personal use between 2023 and May 2026, leading to substantial financial loss to the institution.
Those charged in the case include Chris 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; Okwi Emmanuel Emuron, principal protocol officer; Vincent Otebata, capacity development officer; and Murebe Methods, chief executive officer of the Parliamentary SACCO.
Prosecution alleges that the accused, by virtue of their positions, had access to public funds which they allegedly diverted for personal benefit over the stated period.
Court documents indicate that Obore is accused of embezzling Shs 5.253 billion, while Adilo allegedly diverted the largest share amounting to Shs 14.609 billion during his tenure as director of human resource.
Leonard Okema is charged with embezzlement involving Shs 3.489 billion, while Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu is accused of diverting Shs 2.170 billion. Okwi Emmanuel Emuron allegedly embezzled Shs 1.1 billion.
Vincent Otebata is also facing charges of embezzling Shs 5.253 billion, bringing the total amount allegedly lost in the scheme to approximately Shs 31.95 billion, according to prosecution.
“The investigations established sufficient evidence to support charges of embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering against the accused persons,” prosecution states in court documents.
The accused are also jointly facing charges of money laundering. Prosecutors allege that Leonard Okema, Chris Obore, Daniel Adilo, Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Vincent Otebata and Murebe Methods, between January 2023 and April 2026, processed, approved and received Shs 10.893 billion, knowing that the funds were proceeds of crime.
“The accused persons knowingly processed, approved and received Shs 10,893,071,150, being proceeds of crime, contrary to the Anti-Money Laundering Act,” reads part of the indictment.
Details to follow.
