KAMPALA
The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has sentenced businessman Male Nicholus to 18 months in prison for forging President Yoweri Museveni’s signature on government documents, including a letter seeking the renewal of a contract to manage MV Kalangala.
Male pleaded guilty to seven counts of forgery and uttering false documents. He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment on each count, with the sentences running concurrently.
The conviction follows investigations conducted by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), with prosecution led by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The case stems from September 18, 2025, when Male presented a forged letter dated August 15, 2025, addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport and purportedly signed by President Museveni.
The letter falsely indicated that the President had directed the minister to renew the contract of Nation Oil Distributors Limited to manage MV Kalangala for another 15 years.
Male delivered copies of the forged 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, Kampala.
Investigations established that Male had earlier approached the director of Nation Oil Distributors Limited, presenting himself as an official working with the Office of the Prime Minister.
He claimed to have connections with senior government officials who could influence the renewal of the company’s contract to manage MV Kalangala.
During sentencing, the court described Male’s actions as a serious disregard for authority and an abuse of the office of the President.
The court observed that forging documents bearing the President’s signature could damage the reputation of the presidency and encourage similar fraudulent activities, including schemes intended to obtain money from unsuspecting members of the public.
Investigations also revealed 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.
The court noted that such conduct undermines public confidence in government institutions and damages their reputation.
