Uganda’s military chief orders shutdown of two media outlets

Uganda's military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also the president's son, has ordered the shutdown of two major media outlets: the Daily Monitor newspaper and NTV Uganda. Kainerugaba stated on Sunday that these outlets would not reopen without his permission and declared his disbelief in a free press, asserting that all negative stories about Uganda must be cleared by his office. Military personnel were deployed to the offices of the Nation Media Group, which owns both outlets, preventing staff from entering or leaving. Kainerugaba claims he has held the authority to close media outlets since 2017, a power granted by his father, President Yoweri Museveni. This action follows a history of government actions against these media organizations.

Ugandan military chief Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni, ordered the closure of the Daily Monitor newspaper and broadcaster NTV, part of Nation Media Group, asserting his authority as de facto ruler. Soldiers were deployed outside the Daily Monitor offices in Kampala. Kainerugaba stated he has the power to shut down any media house and that all media in Uganda will now follow rules. This action follows President Museveni's recent swearing-in for a seventh term, during which Kainerugaba has increased his influence. The National Association of Broadcasters expressed concern over the closures, which affected at least six outlets. Kainerugaba, who has expressed his intention to succeed his father, also recently retaliated against an attorney representing opposition leader Kizza Besigye.

Uganda's leading independent media group, Nation Media Group, has had its TV stations, newspapers, and radio outlets shut down following an order from army chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni. NTV and Spark TV have been taken off air, and armed soldiers are reportedly stationed outside the Daily Monitor newspaper's headquarters in Kampala. Gen. Kainerugaba stated on X that he does not believe in a free press, asserting it should be guided by "cadres of the revolution." The exact reasons for this crackdown are unclear. Opposition and human rights groups characterize Gen. Kainerugaba as a key figure in a repressive regime.