Obore, six others to know bail fate in September
Justice Michael Elubu fixed the date on Monday (August 3) after hearing six of the seven bail applications filed by the accused persons, who are facing corruption-related charges arising from alleged financial impropriety at Parliament.
Former Parliament Director of Communications and Public Affairs Chris Obore. (File photo)
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The Anti-Corruption Court will on September 9, 2026, rule on bail applications filed by former Parliament Director of Communications and Public Affairs Chris Obore and six other officials accused of embezzling billions of shillings and causing financial loss to the Government.
Justice Michael Elubu fixed the date on Monday (August 3) after hearing six of the seven bail applications filed by the accused persons, who are facing corruption-related charges arising from alleged financial impropriety at Parliament.
The judge directed the applicants to file their written submissions by August 7, while the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) is expected to respond by August 14. The applicants will have up to August 19 to file any rejoinder.
The remaining bail application, filed by Principal Protocol Officer Emmanuel Okwi Emuron, will be heard on August 6 after court found that he was not ready to proceed because some of the required documents had not been presented.
The accused persons include Obore, former Director of Human Resource Daniel Adilo, former Executive Secretary to the Speaker Leonard Okema, Principal Research Officer Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Capacity Development Officer Vincent Otebata, Parliamentary SACCO Chief Executive Officer Methods Murebe and Okwi.
They were jointly charged alongside Stella Itute, a supervisor in the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, who did not appear in court after reportedly falling ill.
The accused persons are facing charges of embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering.
At the start of the bail hearing, Justice Elubu observed that the applications were largely based on similar grounds and directed the most senior defence lawyers present to lead the submissions according to seniority.
He also directed the defence lawyers to first present documents in support of the applications, including passports, proof of residence, land titles, valuation reports and details of proposed sureties.
Murebe's application was presented by lawyer Apollo Makubuya, who told court that his 59-year-old client has a constitutional right to bail, a fixed place of residence in Sonde, Mukono Municipality, and medical conditions that require regular treatment.
The defence presented Murebe's passport, National Identity Card, Local Council introduction letter and medical records.
His proposed sureties included Rubabo County MP Mathias Mwesigwa, Rukungiri District Woman MP Mary Paula Turyahikayo Kebirungi, Ministry of Finance commissioner Ambrose Promise, Makerere University professor Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye and his wife, Florence Nankabirwa Kabanda, a principal nursing officer at Parliament.
Former human resource director Adilo, represented by lawyer Alfred Oryem Okello, told court that he has a permanent residence in Najjera and had presented his passport, land title and valuation report.
His proposed sureties included his father, Francis Ojede Peter, the executive director of the Uganda National Cultural Centre; his uncle, Dr Emmy Okello, a senior cardiologist at the Uganda Heart Institute; Apac County MP Bernard Otim Malunzi and his aunt, Stella Ayee Adongo, a technical adviser with an international organisation.
Lawyer Richard Omongole represented Obore and told court that the former Parliament communications director has permanent residences in Mukono and Bukedea districts.
Obore's proposed sureties included his sister, Jennifer Agwal, Bukedea MP David Okware Bechaam, Bukedea LCV chairperson Simon Ongura, Kampala Capital City Authority Outdoor Advertising Manager Ibrahim Ogalam and Makerere University Business School lecturer Anthony Kirara.
Obore also argued in his bail application that he is the sole breadwinner of his young family, which he said was struggling to meet basic needs, including food, school fees, clothing and medical expenses, due to his absence.
He further told court that he had never been convicted of a criminal offence and had never been the subject of criminal proceedings before any court in Uganda or elsewhere.
Obore maintained that the offences he faces are bailable and pledged not to interfere with investigations or prosecution witnesses.
However, during the hearing, Obore attempted to raise complaints that IGG investigators had visited his rented premises using government vehicles.
Justice Elubu stopped the submission and directed his lawyer to confine the arguments to matters relating to the bail application.
Kaaya Ssemalulu, through his lawyers, told court that he has permanent residences in Kyebando and Masanafu and had presented his passport, National Identity Card and property documents.
His proposed sureties included his brother, Rajab Kaaya, Hoima West Division MP Ismail Kasule, businessman and National Council of Sports board member Hajj Galiwango Zubairu and engineer Johnson Owere.
Okema, through lawyer Joseph Angule, told court that he resides in Kyengera town council and was prepared to deposit the title for his residence in Busiro.
His proposed sureties included his elder sister, Christine Lanyero of the Ministry of Health, senior auditor Gloria Opinya, his father-in-law Moses Draku of the Amnesty Commission, his brother Daniel Oweka and Chua East MP John Calvin Okoya.
The defence lawyers argued that their clients have constitutional rights to apply for bail, fixed places of abode, substantial sureties and strong ties to Uganda.
They also maintained that the accused persons had no intention of absconding from court or interfering with investigations and prosecution witnesses.
State opposes bail
The IGG, through lawyers led by Daisy Acio, opposed the bail applications, arguing that investigations into the alleged financial scandal are still ongoing.
The State further argued that some of the accused persons could interfere with witnesses, many of whom are employees of Parliament.
The prosecution also challenged some of the documents presented by the defence in support of the applications, including land titles, valuation reports and documents relating to proposed sureties.
It also challenged some of the documents presented in support of Obore's application, arguing that documents relating to one of his proposed sureties, Bukedea LC5 chairperson Simon Ongura, had not been provided to the prosecution.
The prosecution also raised concerns over some valuation reports and property documents presented by Kaaya's defence, saying some were either incomplete or had not been properly availed to the State.
Justice Elubu questioned the prosecution about the basis of its claim that the accused persons could interfere with witnesses and asked what evidence had been presented to support the allegation.
The judge also sought clarification after the State informed court that investigations were incomplete and requested about one month to conclude them.
According to the prosecution, between 2023 and May 2026, the accused persons, with the exception of Murebe, received funds intended for Parliament's donations and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities but failed to implement the intended activities.
The State alleges that their actions caused a financial loss of sh27.201 billion to the Government of Uganda.
The prosecution further alleges that between January 2023 and April 2026, some of the accused persons processed, approved and received sh10.89 billion, knowing or having reason to believe that the money was proceeds of crime.
According to the charge sheet, Obore is accused of embezzling sh5.25 billion, Adilo sh14.6 billion, Okema sh3.48 billion, Kaaya Ssemalulu sh2.17 billion, Okwi sh1.1 billion, Itute sh75 million and Otebata sh5.25 billion between 2023 and May 2026.
The prosecution alleges that the accused persons had access to the funds by virtue of the positions they held at Parliament.
In addition to the individual allegations, Obore, Adilo, Okema, Kaaya Ssemalulu, Otebata and Murebe face a charge of money laundering.
The accused persons deny the charges and are presumed innocent until proved guilty.
The offences of embezzlement and causing financial loss attract a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment upon conviction. A person convicted under the Anti-Corruption Act may also be disqualified from holding public office for a period not exceeding 10 years.
Money laundering attracts a maximum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment or a fine of up to sh2 billion, or both, upon conviction.
The case has attracted attention because of the large sums of money allegedly involved and the fact that the accused persons are serving or former officials of Parliament.
Justice Elubu directed all parties to comply with the filing schedule ahead of his ruling on September 9.
The accused persons will remain on remand pending the determination of their bail applications.