Inspector General of Government Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala has directed the Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige, to immediately interdict seven senior parliamentary officials who are facing corruption charges before the Anti-Corruption Court.
The directive, issued on July 31, 2026, requires the affected officers to step aside from their duties until the criminal proceedings against them are concluded.
The officials named in the directive are Chris Ariko Obore, Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, and Daniel Adilo, the Director of Human Resource.
Others are Principal Research Officer Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Principal Protocol Officer Emmanuel Emuron Okwi, Capacity Development Officer Vincent Otebata and Leonard Okema, the Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker.
The directive also covers Stella Itute, an Office Supervisor in the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
According to the Inspectorate of Government, allowing officers facing serious criminal charges to continue exercising public authority could affect public confidence in Parliament and the integrity of the institution.
Justice Batala based the order on Article 230 of the Constitution and Section 13(6) of the Inspectorate of Government Act. The provisions allow the IGG to issue orders and directions considered necessary while carrying out the Inspectorate’s constitutional duties.
Interdiction temporarily removes a public officer from performing official duties while disciplinary or criminal proceedings are pending. It does not amount to a conviction or a determination of guilt.
Officials facing multibillion-shilling case
The corruption case arose from investigations into the alleged diversion of funds intended for Parliament’s donations and corporate social responsibility activities.
An earlier official update from the Inspectorate stated that the accused were taken before the Anti-Corruption Court on July 2, 2026, where they faced charges including embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering.
Prosecutors allege that more than Shs27.2 billion was lost to the Government through the suspected diversion of the funds.
Court records indicate that Obore is accused of embezzling Shs5.253 billion, while Adilo allegedly embezzled Shs14.609 billion.
Okema is accused of embezzling Shs3.489 billion, Ssemalulu Shs2.170 billion, Okwi Shs1.105 billion, Otebata Shs5.253 billion and Itute Shs75 million.
Several of the accused also face money-laundering charges relating to more than Shs10.8 billion allegedly processed between January 2023 and April 2026. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Itute subject to arrest warrant
Although the July 31 directive names Itute among the seven officials to be interdicted, the Anti-Corruption Court issued a warrant for her arrest on July 27 after she failed to appear before the court.
The prosecution told Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe that efforts to trace Itute had been unsuccessful. The court directed police officers to arrest her and produce her before court on August 10, 2026.
The other accused officials remained on remand at Luzira Prison pending further court proceedings, while their bail applications were expected to be considered by the High Court.
The IGG’s directive now requires the Clerk to Parliament to take administrative action against the seven officers while the criminal case continues.
