A businessman has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to forging President Yoweri Museveni’s signature on government documents in an attempt to influence the renewal of a contract to manage a passenger vessel.
The Anti-Corruption Unit at State House Uganda said Male Nicholus was convicted by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to seven counts of forgery and uttering false documents.
The court handed him an 18-month prison sentence on each count, with the sentences running concurrently, meaning he will serve the terms simultaneously rather than consecutively.
According to the Anti-Corruption Unit, the case originated on September 18, 2025, when Male allegedly presented a forged letter dated August 15, 2025, addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport.
The letter purported to carry the President’s signature and falsely claimed that Museveni had directed the minister to renew Nation Oil Distributors Limited’s contract to manage MV Kalangala for another 15 years.
Male allegedly delivered the document 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 established that Male had previously presented himself to the company’s director as someone working with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). He also claimed to have connections with senior government officials who could facilitate the renewal of the vessel management contract.
The Anti-Corruption Unit said investigations were conducted in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate, while the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions handled the prosecution.
The court reportedly described the offences as a serious disregard for authority and an abuse of the President’s person and office.
It warned that such fraudulent acts could damage the President’s reputation and encourage similar schemes targeting unsuspecting members of the public.
The court also noted that Male had forged appointment letters bearing the names of several individuals, falsely presenting them as documents issued by the Office of the Prime Minister.
The forged letters were found to have the potential to undermine public confidence in government institutions.
The conviction adds to the government’s efforts to address fraud involving public offices and documents purportedly issued by senior officials.