Uganda’s military chief has ordered the closure of two of the country’s biggest independent media outlets, declaring that he does not believe in a free press and insisting they will remain shut until he says otherwise.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, announced on X that the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda had been closed, adding that all future reporting about Uganda must first receive approval from his office.
“In Uganda, I do not believe in a free press,” he wrote. “From now on all bad stories about Uganda have to be cleared by my office.”
Soon afterwards, armed soldiers surrounded the headquarters of Nation Media Group Uganda in Kampala. Staff at the Daily Monitor said security forces blocked journalists and other employees from entering or leaving the premises. NTV Uganda, Spark TV, KFM, Dembe FM and other Nation Media Group broadcasters were taken off air across the country.
The outlets are owned by Kenya based Nation Media Group, one of East Africa’s largest independent media companies. Neither the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, the Uganda Police Force nor the Uganda Communications Commission had issued an official explanation for the operation by Sunday evening.
The National Association of Broadcasters condemned the action, saying it was deeply concerned by the closure of multiple media outlets and warning that the move threatens Uganda’s constitutional protections for press freedom.
Kainerugaba claimed he has held the authority to shut down media organisations since 2017 after receiving the power from his father. However, he did not cite any legal basis for the closures.
The latest crackdown comes as Kainerugaba continues to tighten his grip on power following President Museveni’s inauguration for a seventh term. Widely viewed as his father’s likely successor, the army chief has become known for provocative social media posts, including threats against opposition figures and repeated attacks on independent journalists.
This is not the first confrontation between the government and the Daily Monitor. Authorities shut the newspaper for 10 days in 2013 after it published reports about President Museveni’s succession plans. NTV Uganda was also temporarily taken off air in 2007 following government complaints over its coverage.
Press freedom organisations and international observers have repeatedly raised concerns over shrinking civic space in Uganda, pointing to increasing pressure on journalists, opposition politicians and civil society groups, particularly around election periods.
