Kampala Businessman Remanded Over Alleged Forgery of President Museveni’s Letter

Kampala, Uganda — What began as a seemingly routine court appearance on Thursday has now drawn public attention across the capital. A 27-year-old businessman, Nicholas Male, has been remanded to Luzira Prison after being accused of forging letters purportedly written by President Yoweri Museveni to influence the renewal of a lucrative government transport contract.

Male, who resides in Nazibwa Zone, Lubowa Ward in Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, Wakiso District, appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi on November 6, 2025, where he pleaded not guilty to four counts of forgery and uttering false documents under Uganda’s Penal Code Act.

The Alleged Forgery

According to the charge sheet, Male is accused of forging a letter dated August 15, 2025, addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport, and falsely presenting it as an official communication authored and signed by President Museveni.

The letter reportedly instructed the Minister to renew the contract of Nation Oil Distributors Limited (NODL) for an additional 15 years to continue managing the MV Kalangala vessel on Lake Victoria — a key government marine transport project linking Entebbe and the Kalangala Islands.

During the session, State Prosecutor Ms. Viola Tusingwire informed the court that investigations were still ongoing, prompting a request for more time before bail could be considered.

“Since the documents have not yet been uploaded to the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), the accused is remanded until November 17 for the hearing of his bail application,” ruled Magistrate Kayizzi.

Prosecution’s Case

Prosecutors allege that on September 18, 2025, Male “knowingly and fraudulently uttered” the same forged letter at several institutions, including:

*The Ministry of Works and Transport on Old Port Bell Road,
*The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs along Parliament Avenue, and
*The offices of Nation Oil Distributors Limited (NODL) in Ndeba, Kampala.

Male’s actions, according to the State, violated Sections 319, 324, and 328 of the Penal Code Act, which criminalize forgery and uttering false documents. If found guilty, he could face up to three years in prison for forgery and a maximum of seven years for uttering false documents.

A Web of Deception

While details of the forged letter remain confidential, a State House Anti-Corruption Unit source revealed that the document falsely claimed President Museveni had instructed the renewal of NODL’s contract to manage the MV Kalangala — a directive categorically disowned by State House.

The source disclosed that Male allegedly approached the Director of NODL, posing as an official linked to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), and claimed he could facilitate the contract renewal through “high-level connections.”

“He used the President’s name to gain credibility. When the company sought to verify the letter, the matter was referred to State House, and it was confirmed to be fake,” the source revealed.

Investigators believe Male’s motive may have been to extract financial gain or influence from NODL executives, exploiting the perceived weight of a presidential directive.

The MV Kalangala Connection

The MV Kalangala ferry, operated by NODL under a public-private partnership, remains a lifeline for thousands of passengers and traders between Entebbe and the Kalangala Islands. The company also manages other vessels such as MV Rafiki, playing a vital role in Lake Victoria’s inland water transport network.

The alleged forged document reportedly sought to extend NODL’s management contract for another 15 years, a move that would typically require presidential and ministerial approval due to the project’s strategic significance and financial implications.

Court Proceedings and Ongoing Probe

In court, Male’s lawyer informed Magistrate Kayizzi that the accused had secured sureties, but their documentation had not yet been uploaded onto the ECCMIS, delaying the bail hearing.

Chief Magistrate Kayizzi therefore remanded Male to Luzira Prison until November 17, 2025, when the court will revisit his bail application.

Meanwhile, detectives from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) are continuing to probe whether Male acted alone or was part of a wider forgery network exploiting access to official government correspondence.

As the investigation deepens, the case has reignited debate over the misuse of presidential authority and the growing sophistication of document forgery syndicates in Uganda — crimes that threaten to erode trust in the nation’s bureaucratic systems.