Uganda's Military Chief Orders Shutdown of Major Media Outlets, Sparks Press Freedom Concerns

Katsinatimes 

Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered the shutdown of some of the country's leading media organisations, including NTV Uganda, Spark TV and the Daily Monitor, in a move that has raised fresh concerns over press freedom.

Security personnel reportedly surrounded the premises of the Nation Media Group (NMG) in Kampala early Sunday, restricting staff movement and disrupting operations at the affected media outlets.

The action followed a series of posts by Gen. Kainerugaba on his official X account in which he announced that NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor had been shut down. He also stated that he did not believe in unrestricted press freedom and claimed he had the authority to close any media organisation he deemed necessary.

The military chief further declared that the affected media outlets would remain closed until he authorised their reopening, while warning that additional arrests could follow.

Although the shutdown order was publicly announced by Gen. Kainerugaba on social media, the Ugandan government had not, as of the time of filing this report, issued a formal legal explanation for the action.

The closures forced the affected broadcasters to suspend their normal programming, while journalists and media rights advocates expressed concern over the implications for media independence and freedom of expression in the East African nation.

In a subsequent development, reports indicated that Gen. Kainerugaba later suggested that NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor could resume operations following discussions with the management of Nation Media Group, although official confirmation of the full restoration of services was still awaited.

Gen. Kainerugaba is the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country since 1986. He is widely regarded by political observers as a leading contender to succeed his father.

The latest developments have drawn renewed attention to the state of press freedom in Uganda ahead of the country's next political transition.