Businessman seeks court protection over alleged trademark forgery

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Robert Matsiko, a businessman and proprietor of Numa Feeds Limited, has testified before the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court in Makindye, asking the court to impose heavy punishments on individuals who duplicate and frustrate local businesses.

He testified against Robert Kasoma and Samuel Mwesigwa, who are facing charges of forging and counterfeiting a trademark, falsely applying a trademark, among other offences.

Matsiko told the court on February 13, 2026, presided over by Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu, that he is the owner of Numa Feeds, which produces Numa Karo and Numa Bushera.

He said that on November 4, 2025, he received a call from one of his employees informing him that their packaging materials were being printed along Nasser Road in Kampala.

He stated that he instructed the employee, Aggrey Nantamu, to report the matter to the police. Nantamu reported to CPS, and officers contacted the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and apprehended the suspects.

Police, together with the State House Investors Protection Unit, arrested Kasoma, who was allegedly printing the materials, and later arrested Mwesigwa.

Matsiko presented the court with the logos and trademarks of Numa and told the court that they are printed in Kenya, not Uganda, contrary to what the accused were doing. He said such actions by the accused persons lead to the downfall of genuine and legitimate producers who provide employment to many people.

He added that legitimate businesses pay taxes to the government and contribute to the development of social services, which even the accused persons benefit from, and therefore deserve protection. He asked the magistrate to impose a harsh and severe punishment to serve as an example to would-be offenders.

Kasoma, a shop attendant and estate manager residing in Lubowa Nfuufu in Wakiso district, and Mwesigwa, a painter, are accused of forging or counterfeiting trademarks and falsely applying registered trademarks.

The prosecution, led by Judith Nyamwiza, alleges that on November 7, 2025, at Sayuni Tower on Nasser Road in Kampala, the accused, with the intent to defraud or enable another person to defraud Numa Feeds Limited, forged or counterfeited Numa Karo, a registered trademark.

It is further alleged that they forged the trademarks of Numa Karo, Numa Bushera and Numa Feeds Limited.

Kasoma reports to court on bail, while Mwesigwa’s bail application was dismissed after his sureties presented expired national identity cards, which the court said could not be relied upon.

The matter was adjourned to March 3, 2026, for further hearing. Mwesigwa was further remanded to Luzira until then.