Kampala, Uganda: Nicholas Male, a 27-year-old businessman in Kampala, has been remanded to Luzira Prison over allegations of forging letters purportedly authored by President Yoweri Museveni to influence the renewal of a government transport contract.
Male, a resident of Nazibwa Zone, Lubowa Ward in Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, Wakiso District, appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi on Thursday, November 6, 2025, where he pleaded not guilty to four counts of forgery and uttering false documents under the Penal Code Act.
According to the charge sheet, Male allegedly forged a letter dated August 15, 2025, addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport, claiming it had been written and signed by the President of Uganda.
The letter reportedly directed the Minister to renew the contract of Nation Oil Distributors Limited (NODL) for another 15 years to manage the MV Kalangala vessel on Lake Victoria.
The State prosecution, led by Ms Viola Tusingwire, informed the court that investigations are still ongoing and requested additional time before the bail hearing.
“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,” Magistrate Kayizzi ruled.
Prosecution contends that on September 18, 2025, Male “knowingly and fraudulently uttered” the same forged letter at multiple 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 faces charges under Sections 319, 324, and 328 of the Penal Code Act, which criminalize forgery and uttering false documents. If convicted, he faces up to three years in prison for forgery and a maximum of seven years for uttering false documents.
Museveni’s Name Dragged Into Forgery Scheme
While details of the forged letter remain confidential, a State House Anti-Corruption Unit source revealed that the document falsely claimed President Museveni had directed the renewal of NODL’s management contract for MV Kalangala, a claim that has since been disowned by State House.
The source added that Male presented himself to the Director of NODL, pretending to be an official connected to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), and allegedly offered to help secure 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.
The MV Kalangala ferry, operated by Nation Oil Distributors Limited (NODL), provides a critical transport link between Entebbe and Kalangala Islands on Lake Victoria. NODL also manages the MV Rafiki and other vessels under government partnerships.
The alleged forged letter reportedly sought to extend NODL’s management of the vessel for an additional 15 years, a deal that would have required presidential and ministerial approval.
Investigators believe Male attempted to use the forged correspondence to gain financial benefit or influence from the company.
Male’s lawyer informed court that he had secured sureties but their supporting documents had not yet been uploaded on ECCMIS, preventing an immediate bail hearing.
Chief Magistrate Kayizzi remanded Male to Luzira Prison until November 17, 2025, when the court will consider his bail application, as the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and CID detectives continue investigations into whether he acted alone or as part of a wider forgery network exploiting access to government correspondence.
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