A fresh complaint submitted to the Inspector General of Government (IGG) has added another twist to the widening investigations into the alleged misuse of public funds within Parliament, with a rural transport association accusing Parliament’s Directorate of Communications and Public Affairs of fraudulently using its members’ identification documents to account for hundreds of millions of shillings in donations they insist they never received.
The complaint, signed by Opedun Julius, Chairperson of the Kacumbala Drivers and Loaders Association, alleges that photocopies of members’ national identity cards and driving permits, originally submitted as part of a legitimate funding application, were later used to support fraudulent accountability documents for money purportedly disbursed from the Speaker’s Office.
Addressed to the Inspector General of Government, the letter specifically names Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chris Ariko Obore, as the official allegedly linked to the fraudulent accountability.According to the association, none of the listed beneficiaries ever received the money despite records allegedly indicating that millions of shillings had been paid out in their names.
IDs Submitted for Genuine Funding Request
In his complaint, Opedun explains that the association had followed official procedures while seeking government support for its members.He says the association prepared registration documents and funding application files, attaching photocopies of members’ National Identification Cards and driving permits before submitting them to several government offices, including Parliament.
“Our association prepared registration and funding application files bearing photocopies of members’ identification documents that were submitted to several offices including the district and Parliament of Uganda,” Opedun wrote.However, he says those same documents appear to have later been used without the members’ knowledge to create accountability records showing that huge sums of public money had been donated to individual association members.
“None of Our Members Received Any Money”
Opedun says the association only recently discovered that its members had allegedly been listed as recipients of public funds amounting to hundreds of millions of shillings.
“It is regrettable that our plight was used by other people to enrich themselves,” Opedun states in the complaint.”As chairperson, I am bringing to your attention the fact that none of my members received the funds allegedly accounted against their names.”
The association is now asking the Inspectorate of Government to carry out a thorough investigation and prosecute everyone involved in the alleged fraud.”It is our prayer that the Government of Uganda, through your office, brings these fraudsters to book so our association gets justice,” Opedun added.
Millions Allegedly Accounted for Using Members’ Names
The complaint lists thirteen association members whose identities were allegedly used to account for public funds.
According to the complaint:
Angufi Yazidi allegedly had Shs50 million and Shs30 million accounted in his name.
Okiria Ben allegedly had Shs28 million and Shs5 million.
Okodel Ivan allegedly had Shs35 million.
Masai Eric allegedly had Shs40 million and Shs120 million.
Etooori Moses allegedly had Shs15 million.
Olupot Ben allegedly had Shs20 million.
Kisoka Joseph allegedly had Shs50 million.
Eretu Robert allegedly had Shs60 million.
Omuron Stephen allegedly had Shs22 million.
Olangato Rajab allegedly had Shs50 million.
Ongima David allegedly had Shs70 million.
Watwale Fred allegedly had Shs70 million.
Omoding Vincent allegedly had Shs10 million.
The combined figures run into several hundreds of millions of shillings, raising fresh concerns over how parliamentary donation funds were managed and accounted for.
Association Demands Justice
Speaking through the complaint, Opedun says the alleged misuse of members’ personal documents has left the association feeling betrayed.Many of the drivers and loaders, he says, had hoped government assistance would improve their livelihoods after years of struggling to earn a living in the transport sector.
Instead, they now find themselves listed as beneficiaries of funds they say they never received.”Our members never received the money that was allegedly accounted for in their names,” Opedun insists.
He says the association wants investigators to establish who accessed their documents, how they were used, and who ultimately benefited from the money.
Fresh Pressure on Investigators
The complaint comes at a time when anti-corruption investigators are intensifying scrutiny of financial transactions linked to Parliament.Investigators have been examining allegations involving donations, accountability records and the use of public funds, with several Parliament officials already facing criminal charges in separate cases.
The latest complaint could widen the scope of those investigations if forensic auditors establish that identification documents belonging to ordinary Ugandans were indeed used to support fictitious accountability.Legal experts say investigators are likely to compare the association’s original funding application documents with accountability records held by Parliament to determine whether signatures, identity documents or beneficiary details were fraudulently reproduced.
Possible Criminal Offences
Should investigators confirm the allegations, those responsible could face several criminal offences, including obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, uttering false documents, abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud and causing financial loss to government.
The case could also expose weaknesses in the verification procedures used before public money is released or accounted for under government donation programmes.Anti-corruption campaigners have long argued that stronger verification systems are needed to ensure beneficiaries actually receive funds and personally acknowledge receipt before accountability is approved.
Awaiting IGG Action
The Inspectorate of Government has not yet publicly commented on the complaint.
However, the detailed allegations, together with the names of the alleged beneficiaries and the specific amounts involved, are expected to form part of ongoing investigations into suspected financial irregularities involving parliamentary funds.
For the Kacumbala Drivers and Loaders Association, the priority is not only recovering the truth but also clearing the names of members who insist they were unknowingly drawn into an alleged fraud.Chairperson Opedun Julius says the association remains ready to cooperate fully with investigators.
“Our appeal is simple,” he says. “Those who used our members’ identification documents without their knowledge should be held accountable. Our people never received this money, and we want justice to be done.”
As investigators continue examining allegations surrounding Parliament’s financial management, the complaint from Kacumbala adds another layer to a scandal that could have far-reaching implications for accountability in the management of public funds.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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