Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi showed his growing frustration with the prosecution led by Lydia Nakato, who on Thursday again failed to produce witnesses to testify against the suspect.

The Buganda Road Chief Chief Magistrates Court has threatened to withdraw forgery charges against Kenneth Niwamanya, who is accused of forging First Lady Janet Museveni's signature.

Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi showed his growing frustration with the prosecution led by Lydia Nakato, who on Thursday again failed to produce witnesses to testify against the suspect.

Niwamanya, a 24-ear-old resident of Bulenga in Wakiso District, has been awaiting the trial to proceed in substance since May 2024 but the prosecution has dragged its feet all the while.

Mr Kayizzi on Thursday said he was sending the accused back on remand to Luzira Prison one last time and warned that if on November 27 the state fails to produce witnesses when the case returns before his court, he will be dismissed it for lack of witnesses.

The court heard that Niwamanya had long wished for the First Lady, who also serves as the Minister of Education and Sports, to act as the patron of his organisation, Umoja Youth Initiative Development Uganda.

This desire allegedly led him to unlawfully write "To Whom It May Concern" letters bearing a scanned signature of the First Lady, which he used in various offices to solicit funds, claiming they were for organizing a function at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

Niwamanya, who is accused of committing the offense on August 22, 2023, was arrested at the Ministry of Education offices in Kampala while carrying the letters with the forged signature.