A drivers’ association in eastern Uganda has petitioned the Inspector General of Government (IGG), alleging that the national identity cards and driving permits of its members were used without their consent to account for more than Sh675m (about $180,000) in public funds.
The petition, dated 2 July 2026, accuses Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chris Obore Ariko, of attaching copies of the members’ identification documents to accountability records submitted under the Parliamentary Commission.
The Kachumbala Drivers and Loaders Association says its members only became aware of the alleged use of their documents after local leaders informed them during ongoing anti-corruption investigations.
“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.
The association’s chairperson, Julius Opedun, says none of the 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.”
According to the petition, the identities of 13 association members were allegedly used in the accountability records. They include Anguri Yazidi (Sh80m), Ben Okiria (Sh33m), Ivan Okodol (Sh35m), Erick Masai (Sh160m), Moses Etoori (Sh15m), Ben Olupot (Sh20m), Joseph Kisoke (Sh50m), Robert Eretu (Sh60m), Stephen Omuron (Sh22m), Rajab Olangato (Sh50m), David Ongima (Sh70m), Fred Watwale (Sh70m) and Vincent Omoding (Sh10m).
One of those named, Robert Eretu, denied ever receiving the funds allegedly linked to him.
“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,” he said.
He added that the discovery left him deeply unsettled.
“When I heard about it, I didn’t know whether to run for my life or suffer for a crime I didn’t commit.”
Musa Iloko, the Local Council I chairperson for Komuriakerei Village in Kachumbala Sub-county, said residents had been shocked by the allegations.
“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,” he said.
Mr Iloko said many residents had become fearful following the emergence of the allegations and the ongoing anti-corruption investigations involving senior public officials.
Mr Opedun said the association’s savings and credit cooperative (Sacco) had previously sought financial support from district leaders, including Members of Parliament. As part of that process, members were asked to submit copies of their national identity cards, National Identification Numbers (NINs) and driving permits.
He believes those documents may have later been used without the knowledge or consent of the owners. All the individuals named in the petition are residents of Komuriakerei Village in Kachumbala Sub-county, Bukedea District.
The association has asked the Inspector General of Government to investigate the alleged misuse of its members’ identities and ensure that anyone found responsible is held accountable.
The petition comes as investigations continue into alleged corruption involving officials attached to Parliament.
On 2 July, Mr Obore and six other parliamentary officials were remanded to Luzira Prison until 7 July after appearing before the Anti-Corruption Court on charges including embezzlement, causing financial loss and money laundering.
Prosecutors allege the officials participated in fraudulent accountability processes and the misuse of public funds. All the accused have denied the charges.
If substantiated, the latest allegations could broaden the ongoing investigation by raising questions over whether identification documents belonging to ordinary citizens were used to support disputed public expenditure.
The Office of the Inspector General of Government had not commented on the petition by the time of publication.
