KAMPALA, Uganda — 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.
On Wednesday, Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi ruled against Niwamanya’s bail application, deeming the presented sureties unsuitable due to their advanced age, which contravenes recommended bail guidelines. The magistrate also noted that the trial was already underway and indicated that its conclusion would not be delayed.
During the proceedings, prosecutor Ivan Kyazze called an investigating officer to testify. However, Niwamanya’s lawyer, Nicholas Ssenkumi, raised an objection, arguing that the officer had been present in court while other prosecution witnesses were giving their testimonies.
Ssenkumi contended that this situation could compromise the fairness of the proceedings. When the magistrate requested evidence to support this claim, a member of the public gallery corroborated the defense’s assertion, stating that the officer had indeed been observed seated in a corner during earlier sessions.
Magistrate Kayizzi expressed concern that the objection was raised at this late stage. Ssenkumi clarified 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, advocating for the officer’s disqualification from testifying.
In response, Kayizzi stated 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, adding, “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 remanded further. Prosecutors allege that Niwamanya forged the First Lady’s signature on a letter. This letter was reportedly a request to appoint Mrs. Museveni as the patron of Niwamanya’s organization, Umoja Youth Initiative Development Uganda.
The accused allegedly used this letter, which bore a scanned signature, to solicit funds from various offices for a planned event at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. Investigations later revealed that the letter lacked key features characteristic of Mrs. Museveni’s authentic signature.
Furthermore, the generic salutation, “To Whom It May Concern,” was flagged as inconsistent with her official correspondence style. Niwamanya, who maintains his innocence, was arrested on August 22, 2024, at the Ministry of Education offices in Kampala while in possession of the alleged forged documents. Sources
