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Businessman who forged President’s signature jailed
The court heard that Male forged a letter dated August 15, 2025, purportedly authored by President Museveni and addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport (Fred Byamukama).
Male, who was not represented by a lawyer in court, expressed remorse and apologised for his involvement in the offences, according to the plea bargain submissions. (Credit: Sophia Kagoya)
By: Sophia Kagoya, Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates’ Court has sentenced businessman Nicholas Male to one year and six months in prison for forging the signature of President Yoweri Museveni and falsifying government documents.
Senior Principal Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko passed the sentence after Male pleaded guilty to seven counts of forgery and uttering false documents under a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution.
The court heard that Male forged a letter dated August 15, 2025, purportedly authored by President Museveni and addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport (Fred Byamukama).
He also admitted forging three letters dated July 17, July 18, and July 28, 2025, which purportedly originated from the Office of the Prime Minister.
According to the charge sheet, Nicholas subsequently presented the purported presidential letter to the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and National Oil Distributors Limited on September 18, 2025.
Prosecution further alleged that Male forged appointment letters in the names of Uthman Idris Ssuka, Rehema Jamil Nalubega and Ronah Ninsiimah, falsely claiming that they had been issued by the Office of the Prime Minister.
Presenting the plea bargain agreement in court, Senior State Attorney Viola Tunsigwire said the prosecution team and the accused had agreed on a sentence of one year and six months' imprisonment on each of the seven counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.
According to the charge sheet, Nicholas subsequently presented the purported presidential letter to the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and National Oil Distributors Limited on September 18, 2025.
Prosecution further alleged that Male forged appointment letters in the names of Uthman Idris Ssuka, Rehema Jamil Nalubega and Ronah Ninsiimah, falsely claiming that they had been issued by the Office of the Prime Minister.
Presenting the plea bargain agreement in court, Senior State Attorney Viola Tunsigwire said the prosecution team and the accused had agreed on a sentence of one year and six months' imprisonment on each of the seven counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Prosecution described the offences as serious, arguing that forging the President's signature and documents purportedly originating from government institutions undermined public confidence in government offices and tarnished the image of the institutions involved.
The state also argued that such offences could facilitate fraud against unsuspecting members of the public and required a deterrent punishment.
However, prosecution acknowledged Male's guilty plea, first-offender status, being a youth and the potential for reform as mitigating factors.
Male, who was not represented by a lawyer in court, expressed remorse and apologised for his involvement in the offences, according to the plea bargain submissions.
The court was also asked to take into account the period he had spent on remand when determining the sentence.
Under the agreement, the seven prison terms will run concurrently, meaning they will be served at the same time rather than consecutively. The court also considered the time Male had spent on remand.
The state also argued that such offences could facilitate fraud against unsuspecting members of the public and required a deterrent punishment.
However, prosecution acknowledged Male's guilty plea, first-offender status, being a youth and the potential for reform as mitigating factors.
Male, who was not represented by a lawyer in court, expressed remorse and apologised for his involvement in the offences, according to the plea bargain submissions.
The court was also asked to take into account the period he had spent on remand when determining the sentence.
Under the agreement, the seven prison terms will run concurrently, meaning they will be served at the same time rather than consecutively. The court also considered the time Male had spent on remand.