Operations at Nation Media Group’s Ugandan media outlets were brought to a halt on Sunday morning after security forces reportedly moved to enforce a shutdown announced by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
In a series of posts on his X account, Gen. Muhoozi stated that President Yoweri Museveni had endorsed his decision to close NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor with immediate effect.
According to the military chief, the two outlets would cease operations starting Sunday, adding that the directive had already received presidential approval.
Shortly after the announcement, NTV Uganda reported through its official X account that armed security personnel had surrounded both its headquarters and those of the Daily Monitor.
The broadcaster said the deployment followed Gen. Muhoozi’s public declaration ordering the closure of the media houses.
Gen. Muhoozi later maintained that neither NTV Uganda nor the Daily Monitor would be allowed to resume operations unless he personally authorized their reopening.
He also used the platform to criticize the concept of press freedom, saying he believes media coverage should be supervised by supporters of the ruling revolution. He further declared that any reports portraying Uganda negatively should first receive clearance from his office before publication.
Meanwhile, the Daily Monitor reported that radio stations KFM and Dembe FM were also taken off the air during the operation, although authorities had not immediately explained the reasons behind their suspension.
The latest developments add to a history of confrontations between Ugandan authorities and Nation Media Group outlets. In 2007, NTV Uganda was temporarily shut down following allegations that it was airing unfavorable coverage. Six years later, in 2013, police raided the Daily Monitor and Dembe FM after the publication of a controversial report, forcing both outlets to suspend operations temporarily.
