Kenneth Niwamanya, 25, who stands accused of forging the signature of First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni, was on Wednesday denied bail by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court. Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi cited the advanced age of Niwamanya’s sureties as a key reason for the denial, stating they were “contrary to the recommended bail guidelines.

Magistrate Kayizzi further justified his decision by noting that the trial had already commenced, and there would be no undue delay in concluding the case.

However, Wednesday’s proceedings took an unexpected turn when Niwamanya’s legal team, led by Nicholas Ssenkumi, objected to the testimony of the Investigating Officer. Ssenkumi argued that the officer had been consistently present in court during the testimony of other prosecution witnesses, a practice that could compromise their evidence.

When pressed by Magistrate Kayizzi for proof of this claim, an individual from the public gallery intervened, informing the court that the Investigating Officer had indeed been present, “sitting in a corner and listening to testimony.”

Magistrate Kayizzi expressed concern that this objection had not been raised earlier. Ssenkumi responded, stating, “Unfortunately, I didn’t know that he was among the prosecution witnesses because even his statement was never disclosed to us,” and subsequently requested the court to disqualify the officer from testifying.

In a pivotal ruling, Magistrate Kayizzi announced he would review CCTV footage and consult court orderlies regarding proceedings held on April 4th, April 22nd, and May 16th, 2025, to ascertain the Investigating Officer’s presence. “I don’t want to rush the ruling,” he stated, but warned that if the officer is seen attending sessions while other witnesses were testifying, he would be “automatically disqualified.”

The case has been adjourned to June 18, 2025, and Niwamanya was further remanded.

According to the prosecution, Niwamanya allegedly forged letters bearing a scanned signature of the First Lady. He purportedly sought to appoint her as patron of his organisation, Umoja Youth Initiative Development Uganda, and used the forged documents to solicit funds from various offices for a function at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

Prosecutors contend that the forged signature lacked distinct features of the First Lady’s genuine signature. Additionally, the forged letter was addressed “To Whom It May Concern,” a format reportedly not used by Mrs. Museveni in her official correspondence.

Niwamanya has denied the charges. He was arrested on August 22, 2024, at the Ministry of Education offices in Kampala, in possession of the allegedly forged documents.