By Paul Joseph
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered the shutdown of two of the country’s leading media organisations, deploying armed soldiers to the premises of the Daily Monitor newspaper and NTV Uganda while declaring that he does not believe in a free press.
Kainerugaba, the eldest son of President Yoweri Museveni, announced on Sunday that the Daily Monitor, Uganda’s largest independent newspaper, and NTV Uganda, one of the country’s biggest private television stations, would remain closed until he personally authorises their reopening.
“In Uganda, I do not believe in a free press! The press should be guided by cadres of the revolution,” Kainerugaba wrote in a series of posts on X, adding that “from now on all bad stories about Uganda have to be cleared by my office.”
The Daily Monitor reported that heavily armed security personnel were stationed outside Nation Media Group’s headquarters in Namuwongo, Kampala, and its Serena Hotel offices, preventing staff from entering or leaving the premises.
The action disrupted broadcasts by NTV Uganda, Spark TV and other television and radio stations operated by Nation Media Group, with at least six publishing and broadcasting platforms reportedly forced off air, according to the National Association of Broadcasters.
Kainerugaba claimed he has possessed the authority to close any media organisation since 2017, saying the powers were granted to him by his father, President Museveni.
“I have the power in Uganda to shut down any media house I want to. I have had this power since 2017. This power was given to me by my great father President Museveni,” he wrote.
The army chief, who has led Uganda’s military since 2024, did not provide any specific reason for ordering the closures.
The National Association of Broadcasters condemned the move, saying it was closely monitoring developments and was “deeply concerned” about its implications for the country’s media landscape and constitutional rights.
As of Sunday, neither the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, the Uganda Police Force nor the Uganda Communications Commission had issued an official statement on the shutdown.
President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has previously faced criticism over media restrictions. In 2013, authorities shut down the Daily Monitor for 10 days over reports relating to presidential succession, while NTV Uganda was temporarily taken off air in 2007 following government objections to its coverage.
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