A 52-year-old repeat offender has been sentenced to nine months in prison on Friday after admitting to forging letters bearing the signature of Uganda’s Inspector General of Government (IGG), Betti Olive Namisango Kamya.
The now convict Umar Bakka had initially denied the charges, only to retract his plea in the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court, acknowledging two counts of forgery and two counts of uttering false documents.
Winnie Nankya Jatiko, the Grade One Magistrate, convicted Bakka at his own admission, sentencing him to nine months in prison, the length of time he had already spent on remand.
“The maximum penalty in this case is three years, but the convict is a family man with school-going children. He is remorseful, and the court expects him not to repeat the offense,” Nankya ruled.
That as it may be, prosecution led by Joan Keko pushed for a harsher sentence, calling Bakka a “serial offender” who had forged Kamya’s signature both during her tenure as the Minister of Lands and later as IGG.
“This exhibits gravity, and the cases are prevalent. A deterrent sentence, such as the maximum of three years, is appropriate,” Keko pleaded to the court.
Bakka’s lawyer, however, argued for leniency, emphasizing his client’s responsibilities.
“He is the sole breadwinner for his family and has shown remorse. He did not waste the court’s time and should be considered for a non-custodial sentence,” the lawyer of the accused countered.
Additionally, Court records revealed that Bakka and Kamya, being members of the Uganda Federal Alliance political party, were known to each other.
Prosecution stated that Bakka, in February 2010 and November 2020, in Kampala District, forged documents, including letters addressed to Abubaker Bekka (Muwalimu Bakka) dated February 12, 2010, and November 8, 2020.
He fraudulently presented these letters to D/IP in January 2024 at the CIID headquarters in Kibuli, bearing a signature purported to be that of Kamya, which was later confirmed to be forged.
The forgery came to light in November 2023 when Kamya’s personal assistant received court summonses with documents falsely signed by the IGG.
A handwriting expert confirmed the signatures were forged.
