State House Anti-Corruption Unit Arrests Suspect In UGX 20 Million URC Job Scam

A man accused of forging a presidential appointment letter and fraudulently obtaining more than UGX 20 million has been arraigned before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Arinda Nicholas was on Wednesday jointly presented in court by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). He faces charges of forgery, uttering a false document, and obtaining money by false pretence.

Prosecution alleges that Arinda, together with an accomplice still at large, fraudulently created a false appointment letter dated December 4, 2024 (Ref: PO/23). The letter purported to appoint Mr. Nagwomu Alfred as the Managing Director of the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC).

Investigators say the document was falsely presented as having been signed by President Yoweri Museveni. Authorities maintain that the letter was not issued or signed by the President and was entirely fabricated.

According to court records, the accused used the forged letter to convince Mr. Nagwomu that his appointment as URC Managing Director had been secured. Arinda allegedly went on to extort more than UGX 20 million from the complainant, claiming the money was required to facilitate and finalize the appointment process.

Arinda Nicholas has been remanded and is expected to return to court on March 9, 2026, as investigations continue and efforts to apprehend the second suspect intensify.

The case underscores ongoing efforts by anti-corruption agencies to crack down on fraud schemes involving forged government documents and false promises of public office appointments.