A businessman has been convicted and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for forging President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s signature on government documents in an attempt to secure a 15-year extension of a contract to manage MV Kalangala.
Male Nicholus was convicted by Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to seven counts of forgery and uttering false documents, according to the Anti-Corruption Unit of State House.
The court sentenced him to 18 months’ imprisonment on each count, with the sentences running concurrently, meaning they will be served at the same time.
The case stems from an incident on September 18, 2025, when Male allegedly presented a letter dated August 15, 2025, addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport and purportedly signed by President Museveni.
The letter falsely claimed that the President had directed the minister to renew Nation Oil Distributors Limited’s contract to continue managing MV Kalangala for another 15 years, the Anti-Corruption Unit said.
Male allegedly 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 and the Criminal Investigations Directorate established that Male had earlier presented himself to the director of Nation Oil Distributors Limited as a person working with the Office of the Prime Minister.
He reportedly claimed to have connections to senior government officials who could facilitate the renewal of the contract.
The court described the conduct as a serious disregard for authority and an abuse of the person and office of the President.
It warned that such offences could damage the President’s reputation and encourage similar fraudulent acts, including the extortion of money from unsuspecting members of the public.
The court further noted 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 Anti-Corruption Unit said the conviction followed investigations conducted jointly with the Criminal Investigations Directorate, while prosecution was led by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
MV Kalangala operates on Lake Victoria, serving passengers and vehicles travelling between the mainland and the Ssese Islands. The case concerned an alleged attempt to secure an extension of the vessel’s management contract through forged presidential instructions.
The Anti-Corruption Unit’s announcement did not indicate whether Male had an opportunity to appeal the conviction or sentence.
