A man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for forging and using fake environmental approval certificates purportedly issued by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Martin Owomugisha was convicted by the Makindye Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court after being found guilty of forgery, uttering false documents and obtaining money by false pretences.
The case followed his arrest in Mbarara on March 23, 2026, during an operation conducted by the NEMA Environment Protection Force and the Environment Protection Police Unit.
According to the charge sheet, Owomugisha forged two NEMA certificates linked to fuel station projects in Bikurungu, Rukungiri District, and Mahyoro, Kitagwenda District.
He reportedly used the forged certificates to obtain Shs8 million from Ismail Mugisha after claiming that he could secure genuine NEMA environmental approvals.
Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu sentenced Owomugisha to seven years in prison for forging the certificates, another seven years for uttering the forged documents and three years for obtaining money by false pretences.
The sentences will run concurrently, meaning Owomugisha will serve a total of seven years in prison.
NEMA has warned the public against individuals who claim they can privately sell or obtain environmental approvals on behalf of the authority.
The authority said environmental approvals are essential because they ensure that proposed projects undergo the required environmental and social assessments before implementation.
NEMA has urged members of the public to use official channels when seeking environmental approvals and to report suspected fraudulent activities to the relevant authorities.
