Ugandan businessman jailed for forging President Museveni’s signature

Nicholus Male has been sentenced to 18 months in prison by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to seven counts of forgery and uttering false documents. The businessman forged President Yoweri Museveni’s signature on a letter intended to influence the renewal of a contract for Nation Oil Distributors Limited to manage the MV Kalangala.

The forged document, dated August 15, 2025, was addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport and falsely claimed the President had directed the contract to be extended for an additional 15 years. Male 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.

Investigations by the Anti-Corruption Unit and the Criminal Investigations Directorate revealed that Male also falsely claimed to work for the Office of the Prime Minister to gain influence. The court noted that his actions represented a serious disregard for authority and an abuse of the presidency, warning that such fraud could damage the President’s reputation and lead to the extortion of the public.