A drivers’ association in Bukedea district has petitioned the Inspector General of Government, alleging that members’ identification documents were used without their consent to account for more than Shs 675 million in public funds.
The petition, dated July 2, 2026, was filed by the Kachumbala Drivers and Loaders Association.
The association accuses Parliament’s director of communications and public affairs, Chris Obore Ariko, of allegedly using members’ National Identification Cards and driving permits to support accountability documents under the Parliamentary Commission.
Association chairperson Julius Opedun says members were shocked to learn that photocopies of their National IDs, National Identification Numbers and driving permits had allegedly been attached to accountability records submitted to government institutions, including Parliament.
“It has come to my attention through the office of the chairperson, Local Council I, that several identification documents (National IDs and Driving Permits) of my association members were used by Mr. Obore Chris Ariko to account for millions of public funds under the Parliamentary Commission,” the petition states.
Drivers deny receiving the money
According to the petition, several members were listed against different amounts allegedly accounted for in their names.
The listed individuals include Anguri Yazidi, who was allegedly linked to Shs 80 million, Ben Okiria to Shs 33 million, Ivan Okodol to Shs 35 million, Erick Masai to Shs 160 million and Moses Etoori to Shs 15 million.
Others are Ben Olupot, listed against Shs 20 million, Joseph Kisoke against Shs 50 million, Robert Eretu against Shs 60 million, Stephen Omuron against Shs 22 million, Rajab Olangato against Shs 50 million, David Ongima against Shs 70 million, Fred Watwale against Shs 70 million and Vincent Omoding against Shs 10 million.
The association says none of the listed members received the money allegedly recorded in their names.
“It is regrettable that our plight was used by other people to enrich themselves,” the petition reads.
“I am bringing to your attention the fact that none of my members received the funds allegedly accounted against their names.”
The petitioners want the IGG to investigate the alleged misuse of their identities and hold the responsible persons accountable.
Villagers say they are living in fear
One of the affected people, Robert Eretu, said he was shocked to learn that his name had allegedly been used to account for Shs 60 million.
“My name just appeared, but I have never received the money. I only got to know about it when I was called to the LC1 chairperson’s office to meet officials from the IGG,” Eretu said.
He said the matter had left him worried about possible consequences.
“When I heard about it, I didn’t know whether to run for my life or suffer for a crime I didn’t commit,” he said.
Musa Iloko, the LC1 chairperson of Komuriakerei village in Kachumbala sub-county, said residents were surprised to hear that some villagers had allegedly received large sums of money.
“The people who are said to have received the money are struggling even to feed their families. Their lives are miserable, yet huge sums of money are tagged to them. People should be fair. We should be humane and pity the lives of these people,” Iloko said.
Iloko added that some residents have become fearful since news of the alleged embezzlement emerged.
He linked the fear to ongoing anti-corruption investigations involving senior political leaders.
Association says documents were submitted during search for support
Opedun said the association’s Sacco had previously sought financial support from several district leaders, including Members of Parliament.
As part of that process, members were reportedly asked to submit copies of their National IDs, NINs and driving permits.
Opedun suspects the documents may have been misused after they were submitted during the search for financial assistance.
All the individuals allegedly linked to the Shs 675 million accountability are residents of Komuriakerei village in Kachumbala sub-county, Bukedea district.
Petition comes amid Parliament corruption case
The petition comes as investigations continue into alleged corruption involving officials attached to Parliament.
On July 2, 2026, Obore and six other Parliament officials were remanded to Luzira Prison until July 7, 2026, after appearing before the Anti-Corruption Court.
They face charges including embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering.
Prosecutors allege that the accused participated in fraudulent accountability and misuse of public funds. The accused deny the charges.
The new petition could expand the scope of the investigations by raising allegations that ordinary citizens’ identification documents were used to support questionable public expenditure.
Ali Munirah, the spokesperson for the Inspector General of Government, had not commented on the petition by the time of publication.