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
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developments
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The Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda remain under military siege as of June 30, with no reopening order issued. NTV Uganda shifted to streaming-only distribution online. Museveni has been given final approval authority; Muhoozi said he would present the reopening case after completing consultations with UK and European allies, leaving no timeline. People Daily confirmed Museveni's veto position. ↗
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Journalist Andrew Mwenda announced he had met with Muhoozi and they agreed to reopen NTV and the Daily Monitor after first meeting NMG management; Muhoozi posted that discussions with 'allies in the UK and Europe' were underway and that Museveni would make the final reopening decision. ↗
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, though Muhoozi signalled on June 29 that he was in talks with journalist and media commentator Andrew Mwenda with a view to reopening. Mwenda posted that they had "reached a consensus" to reopen the outlets after first meeting with NMG management. Muhoozi told Mwenda he was consulting "allies in the UK and Europe" before presenting the reopening proposal to Museveni for final approval.
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 ahead of the 2026 succession. The reopening signal through a private intermediary, rather than a regulatory or legal order, also illustrates how informal personal networks now mediate between military power and institutional media in Uganda. East Africa's remaining independent media will note that military force, not courts, determined the outcome at every stage.