Uganda army chief orders military shutdown of Nation Media Group, declaring 'I do not believe in a free press'
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Museveni and chief of defence forces, sent soldiers overnight to occupy the Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda and Spark TV, forcing all broadcasts off air and barring journalists; outlets remain under siege
أضف إلى قائمة
لا قوائم بعد.
Summary
Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, President Yoweri Museveni's son and designated political heir, ordered armed soldiers to raid and occupy the premises of Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda overnight on June 27-28, shutting down NTV Uganda, Spark TV, KFM, Dembe FM and the Daily Monitor. Troops cut power at the Namuwongo headquarters and the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre broadcast facilities; NTV Uganda and Spark TV went dark by 5:00 AM local time. In a series of X posts, Muhoozi wrote: "In Uganda, I DO NOT believe in a free press! The press should be guided by cadres of the revolution." He later said the outlets "will not reopen without his permission" and that Museveni would have final approval on any reopening, signaling he acted with presidential backing. The Federation of African Journalists condemned the raids as illegal. As of June 29, the media houses remain under military siege.
Why it matters
The shutdown is the most direct assault on Uganda's independent press in two decades and tests how far Muhoozi's political consolidation will go before the 2026 succession. It also signals to East Africa's remaining independent media that military force, not courts or regulators, is the real threat.