Court denies bail to man accused of forging First Lady’s signature

Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s court has denied bail to Kenneth Niwamanya, a 25-year-old man facing charges of forging the signature of First Lady and minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni.

Chief magistrate Ronald Kayizzi on Wednesday ruled that the sureties presented were unsuitable, citing their advanced age, which goes against recommended bail guidelines. The magistrate also noted that the trial had already commenced and that there would be no delay in concluding the case.

Prosecution, led by Ivan Kyazze, had brought an investigating officer to testify. However, Niwamanya’s lawyer, Nicholas Ssenkumi, objected, arguing that the officer had been present in court while other prosecution witnesses were testifying, a situation that could compromise the fairness of proceedings.

When pressed by the magistrate to provide evidence, a member of the public gallery stood and informed the court that the officer had indeed been seen seated in a corner during earlier sessions. Magistrate Kayizzi expressed concern that the objection was only raised at this stage, but Ssenkumi explained that the defense had not been informed that the officer would be among the witnesses.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t know that he was among the prosecution witnesses because even his statement was never disclosed to us,” Ssenkumi told the court, urging that the officer be disqualified from testifying. In response, Kayizzi said he would review CCTV footage and consult court orderlies to verify attendance during sessions held on April 4, April 22, and May 16, 2025.

“I don’t want to rush the ruling,” Kayizzi said, “but if it’s confirmed that the officer attended while other witnesses testified, he will automatically be disqualified.”

The case was adjourned to June 18, 2025, and Niwamanya was further remanded. According to prosecutors, Niwamanya is accused of forging the First Lady’s signature in a letter requesting to appoint her as patron of his organisation, Umoja Youth Initiative Development Uganda.

The letter, allegedly bearing her scanned signature, was used to solicit funds from various offices for a planned event at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. Investigations later revealed that the letter lacked key features of Mrs Museveni’s authentic signature.

Additionally, the letter’s generic salutation, “To Whom It May Concern” was flagged as inconsistent with her official correspondence style. Niwamanya, who denies the charges, was arrested on August 22, 2024, at the ministry of Education offices in Kampala while in possession of the alleged forged documents.