The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has granted bail to former Parliament Director of Communications and Public Affairs Chris Obore and six co-accused facing charges arising from the alleged misappropriation of Shs27.2 billion at Parliament.
Justice Michael Elubu on Wednesday granted the seven accused bail after considering their applications and submissions from their lawyers and the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), which had opposed their release. The accused are charged with embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering in connection with funds allegedly allocated to Parliament for donations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.
Under the bail terms, the accused will pay cash bail ranging from Shs20 million to Shs35 million. They must also deposit their passports with the Registrar of the Anti-Corruption Court and report to the Deputy Registrar on the first Monday of every month. Justice Elubu further ordered that certificates of title and other property documents presented by the sureties be deposited with the court as security. Each accused is required to have sureties bound at Shs300 million.
The judge clarified that the amount is not a cash payment by the sureties, but a financial undertaking backed by the property documents presented to court. He warned that if any of the accused absconds, the properties pledged as security could be forfeited to the State. Obore, who was represented by lawyer Richard Omongole, was granted Shs30 million cash bail, secured against the certificate of title for his residence in Kiwanga.
Parliamentary SACCO Chief Executive Officer Methods Mureebe was granted Shs20 million cash bail, with the certificate of title for his residence in Goma Cell presented as security. Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu was also granted Shs20 million cash bail, backed by a certificate of purchase for his home in Kyebando. Emmanuel Okwi was granted Shs20 million cash bail, with a certificate of title for property in Kyaggwe presented as security. Former Parliament Director of Human Resources Daniel Adilo was granted Shs35 million cash bail, with a certificate of title for land in Kyaggwe presented as security.
Former Executive Secretary to the Speaker Leonard Okema was granted Shs35 million cash bail, against the title for his home in Katale, Bugema, in Kyengera. Vincent Otebata was granted Shs30 million cash bail, with a certificate of purchase for land in Busukuma forming part of the security.
The successful applications were filed in July 2026, with the defence lawyers arguing that the accused were entitled to bail because they had fixed places of residence and substantial sureties. The lawyers also assured the court that their clients would comply with any conditions imposed and attend all subsequent proceedings.
Mureebe’s application was presented by lawyer Apollo Makubuya, who told the court that his client has a fixed residence in Sonde, Mukono Municipality, and medical conditions requiring regular treatment. Mureebe presented his passport, National Identity Card, Local Council introduction letter, and medical records in support of his application.
His proposed sureties included Rubaabo 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. Adilo’s lawyer, Alfred Oryem Okello, told the court that his 38-year-old client has a permanent residence in Najjera and presented a land title and valuation report. Obore’s lawyers argued that he has permanent residences in Mukono and Bukedea districts, while Kaaya’s defence said he has permanent residences in Kyebando and Masanafu.
Okema’s lawyer, Joseph Angule, told the court that his client resides in Kyengera Town Council and was willing to use his residential property as security. The IGG, represented by lawyers led by Daisy Acio, opposed the applications, arguing that investigations were still ongoing and that some of the accused could interfere with witnesses, several of whom are Parliament employees. The State also challenged some of the documents presented in support of the applications, including property titles, valuation reports and the suitability of some proposed sureties.
Prosecutors argued that Mureebe, who remains the Chief Executive Officer of the Parliamentary SACCO, could interfere with witnesses because of his position. The prosecution further told the court that investigations had not been completed and asked for additional time to conclude them. Justice Elubu, however, questioned the State’s claim that the accused were likely to interfere with witnesses and sought evidence to support the allegation.
He also scrutinised some of the property documents presented by the applicants and their sureties, particularly documents relating to jointly owned properties where powers of attorney had not been provided. According to the IGG, all the accused except Mureebe received funds intended for Parliament’s donations and CSR programmes but allegedly failed to implement the programmes, resulting in a financial loss of Shs27.201 billion to the Government.
Adilo is separately accused of embezzling Shs14 billion, while Kaaya is accused of embezzling Shs2.1 billion. Okema faces a separate allegation of embezzling Shs3.4 billion. Obore, Adilo, Okema, Kaaya, Otebata and Mureebe also face charges of money laundering. The accused have denied the allegations and remain presumed innocent until proven guilty. They have been in custody since July 2, 2026, and will regain their temporary freedom after fulfilling the bail conditions imposed by the court-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
