By Swift Reporter
The alleged disappearance of about Shs26 billion meant for parliamentary community engagements, government donations and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities is now headed for a full trial after the Anti-Corruption Magistrate’s Court in Kampala committed several senior parliamentary officials to the High Court.
The decision marks a significant development in a case that has raised questions about how public funds allocated for activities outside Parliament were allegedly handled and accounted for.
Among those committed for trial are Chris Ariko Obore, the interdicted Director of Communications; former Director of Human Resources Daniel Adilo; former Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker Leonard Okema; former Principal Research Officer Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu; former Principal Protocol Officer Emmanuel Emuron Okwi; and former Development Officer Vincent Otebata.
Prosecutors allege that the officials received money for parliamentary engagements and CSR programmes but failed to carry out the activities for which the funds were released.
The prosecution’s evidence summary paints a picture of large sums being allocated to individual officials.
Adilo is alleged to have received Shs14.1 billion, the largest amount among the officials named in the case. He is followed by Obore, who allegedly received Shs5.2 billion, while Okema is accused of receiving Shs3.8 billion and Ssemalulu Shs1.8 billion.
Another count involves Okwi, who prosecutors allege received Shs502 million intended to facilitate stakeholder engagements in the central region, including fuel, subsistence allowances and transport refunds.
According to the prosecution, the activities were not conducted and the money was not returned to government.
Obore is also facing a separate allegation that he knowingly presented false accountabilities for Shs2.5 billion reportedly allocated to CSR activities between 2023 and 2026.
SACCO Allegations
The case takes another turn with the involvement of Mareebe Methods, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Parliamentary Cooperative SACCO.
The Inspectorate of Government alleges that Mareebe assisted some of the accused officials to conceal and benefit from proceeds of the alleged offences by processing them through the cooperative in the form of personal loans and savings.
Prosecutors specifically allege that she assisted Obore, Adilo, Kaaya and Otebata in dealing with the funds.
The allegations have brought renewed attention to the role institutional financial structures can play in the movement and concealment of public funds, although the accusations against the individuals will have to be tested before the High Court.
The prosecution has indicated that it will rely on both documentary and oral evidence to establish its case.
Among the witnesses expected to appear are officials from Cairo Bank, members of the Parliamentary Commission, police investigators and individuals who were expected to benefit from the alleged CSR activities.
Potential beneficiaries from districts including Bukedea, Gulu, Mbale, Arua, Koboko, Soroti and Rakai are expected to provide evidence on whether the activities for which funds were allegedly released actually took place.
The Inspectorate of Government also intends to present a trail of financial and administrative documents, including parliamentary payment vouchers, bank statements, loan agreements, audit reports, forensic examination reports and internal correspondence.
These documents are expected to form a major part of the prosecution’s attempt to establish how the money was released, moved and ultimately accounted for.
Assistant Director of Prosecutions in the Office of the IGG, Brenda Kimbugwe Mawanda, told court in the summary of evidence that the State believes the evidence gathered is sufficient to warrant a full trial.
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