Ugandan authorities have intensified pressure on the Nation Media Group (NMG), resulting in the temporary silencing of several major outlets, including the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda. The closures follow public criticism by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces, regarding the media house’s coverage of his military operations and his family. The crackdown, which began over the weekend, has drawn condemnation from international press freedom organizations, including WAN-IFRA and the World Editors Forum, which have called on the government of President Yoweri Museveni to uphold constitutional protections for journalists.
Why were the media houses closed?
The suspension of NMG operations in Uganda followed explicit objections from General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who serves as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and is the son of President Yoweri Museveni. According to public statements made on social media, the General expressed discomfort with reporting that characterized some of his military operations as illegal.
General Muhoozi stated that the media houses would not be permitted to reopen without his personal approval. This stance was echoed by Andrew Mwenda, a journalist and ally of the General, who serves on the central executive committee of the Patriotic League Uganda (PLU). Mwenda stated on X that he had held discussions with the CDF and that the outlets would reopen soon, following discussions with their management.
Historical context of media tensions
This is not the first instance of friction between the Ugandan government and the Nation Media Group. The Daily Monitor has faced multiple shutdowns during the presidency of Yoweri Museveni, who has previously labeled the publication an "enemy newspaper."
- 2002: The Daily Monitor was closed for one week following reports that a military helicopter had been downed by Lord’s Resistance Army rebels. The newsroom was raided by security forces, and journalist Frank Nyakairu was arrested.
- 2005: KFM radio was shut down after Andrew Mwenda, then a journalist for the station, alleged on air that a helicopter crash involving South Sudanese leader John Garang was caused by a defective Ugandan aircraft.
- 2013: The government shuttered the Daily Monitor again after it published a letter from General David Sejjusa alleging a plot to assassinate military officials who opposed the ‘Muhoozi project’.
What is the current status of press freedom in Uganda?
The recent events have led to widespread concern regarding the state of media independence in Uganda. Beyond the closure of media houses, journalists have faced targeted detentions. Andrew Nabimanya, also known as "Ninye Tabz," was recently held and later released on bond after being charged with the "unauthorized disclosure of official information." Similarly, journalist Timothy Kalyegira was charged with "broadcasting online without a license" and remanded to Luzira maximum security prison.
In a statement released on June 30, 2026, the World Editors Forum and WAN-IFRA urged the Ugandan government to respect international standards regarding the safety of journalists. The organizations emphasized that constitutional guarantees for a free press remain essential for public accountability.
Key takeaways regarding the NMG shutdown
- Targeted Outlets: The shutdown impacted Daily Monitor, KFM, Dembe FM, NTV, and Spark TV.
- Official Position: General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has publicly asserted that the media houses require his permission to resume operations, citing negative coverage of his family and military conduct.
- Legal Precedent: Previous government shutdowns of the Daily Monitor have resulted in legal challenges; in past instances, the media house was awarded over US $818,000 (UGX 3 billion) in damages.
- International Reaction: Global media freedom watchdogs have formally denounced the recent actions as a violation of constitutional and international protections for the press.
As of the latest reports, the situation remains fluid, with management from the affected media houses expected to engage in discussions with government and military representatives to negotiate a path toward restoring operations.
