Businessman Jailed for Forging President’s Signature on Government Documents

[Archival Sense]

Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has convicted businessman Male Nicholus for forging the President’s signature on government documents and sentenced him to 18 months’ imprisonment on each of seven counts.

Male pleaded guilty to seven counts of forgery and uttering false documents. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve 18 months in prison.

The case arose on September 18, 2025, when Male allegedly presented a forged letter dated August 15, 2025, purportedly signed by President Yoweri Museveni and addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport.

The letter falsely claimed that the President had directed the minister to renew Nation Oil Distributors Limited’s contract to manage MV Kalangala for another 15 years.

According to investigators, Male delivered the letter to the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the offices of Nation Oil Distributors Limited in Ndeba.

Investigations by the Anti-Corruption Unit of State House and the Criminal Investigations Directorate further established that Male had presented himself to the director of Nation Oil Distributors Limited as a person working with the Office of the Prime Minister. He allegedly claimed to have connections to senior government officials who could facilitate the contract renewal.

The court also heard that Male had forged appointment letters in the names of several individuals, falsely presenting them as documents issued by the Office of the Prime Minister.

In its sentencing remarks, the court said the offences showed disregard for the authority of the President and abused the person and office of the Head of State. It warned that such conduct could damage the President’s reputation, undermine public trust in government institutions and facilitate fraud against unsuspecting members of the public.

The prosecution was led by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions following investigations by the relevant anti-corruption and police authorities.