BUKEDEA, Uganda — A drivers’ association in Bukedea District has petitioned the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), accusing Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chris Obore Ariko, of allegedly using the national identification documents and driving permits of its members without their knowledge to account for more than Shs675 million in public funds.
The complaint, filed on July 2, 2026, by the Kachumbala Drivers and Loaders Association, adds a new dimension to the ongoing anti-corruption investigations involving senior Parliament officials who were recently charged before the Anti-Corruption Court.
In the petition addressed to the IGG, the association claims that several members discovered their National Identification Numbers (NINs) and driving permit details had allegedly been attached to accountability records submitted under the Parliamentary Commission, despite never receiving the funds purportedly allocated to them.
Association chairperson Julius Opedun said members were shocked to learn that copies of their identification documents had allegedly been used to support expenditure records running into hundreds of millions of shillings.
“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.
Villagers listed as recipients of millions
The petition identifies 13 association members whose identities were allegedly used in the accountability records.
According to the complaint, the amounts reportedly attributed to them include:
- Anguri Yazidi – Shs80 million
- Ben Okiria – Shs33 million
- Ivan Okodol – Shs35 million
- Erick Masai – Shs160 million
- Moses Etoori – Shs15 million
- Ben Olupot – Shs20 million
- Joseph Kisoke – Shs50 million
- Robert Eretu – Shs60 million
- Stephen Omuron – Shs22 million
- Rajab Olangato – Shs50 million
- David Ongima – Shs70 million
- Fred Watwale – Shs70 million
- Vincent Omoding – Shs10 million
The association maintains that none of the listed individuals received the money allegedly disbursed in their names.
“It is regrettable that our plight was used by other people to enrich themselves,” the petition reads. “None of my members received the funds allegedly accounted against their names.”
The group has asked the IGG to investigate the alleged misuse of their identities and determine how their personal documents came to be linked to public expenditure records.
“I have never received that money”
One of the individuals named in the petition, Robert Eretu, said he was stunned to learn that records allegedly showed he had received Shs60 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 added that the revelation left him fearful.
“When I heard about it, I didn’t know whether to run for my life or suffer for a crime I didn’t commit.”
Local leaders question accountability records
Musa Iloko, the LC1 chairperson of Komuriakerei Village in Kachumbala Sub-county, said residents were struggling to understand how villagers living in difficult economic conditions could have been listed as recipients of such large sums.
“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,” Iloko said.
“People should be fair. We should be humane and pity the lives of these people.”
He noted that many residents have become increasingly anxious following recent anti-corruption investigations involving senior government and parliamentary officials.
Documents reportedly submitted during funding requests
According to the association, members had previously sought financial support through their Sacco and were encouraged to submit copies of their National IDs, NINs and driving permits as part of the application process.
Opedun said the documents were reportedly collected during efforts to secure assistance from various district leaders and Members of Parliament.
Also Read: Chris Obore, seven other parliament staff arrested in corruption probe
The association now suspects those records may have later been used without the knowledge or consent of the document holders.
All the individuals named in the petition are residents of Komuriakerei Village in Kachumbala Sub-county, Bukedea District.
Investigation unfolds amid Parliament corruption case
The allegations emerge as anti-corruption investigators continue probing the management of public funds within Parliament.
On July 2, Chris Obore and six other Parliament officials were remanded to Luzira Prison after appearing before the Anti-Corruption Court on charges that include embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering.
Prosecutors allege the officials participated in fraudulent accountability schemes involving public funds between 2023 and 2026. All the accused have denied wrongdoing.
If substantiated, the latest complaint could significantly widen the scope of the investigation by raising questions about whether ordinary citizens’ identification documents were used to support questionable accountability records.
By publication time, the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) had not publicly commented on the petition, while Obore had not issued a response to the specific allegations contained in the complaint.
