Uganda's military chief orders shutdown of two media outlets

On Sunday, June 28, Uganda's military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced he had ordered the shutdown of two of the country's biggest media outlets: the Daily Monitor, the largest independent daily newspaper, and NTV Uganda, one of the largest private broadcasters. Kainerugaba, who is the son of President Yoweri Museveni, wrote on his X account that the outlets would not reopen without his permission and that he does not believe in a free press. He also stated that from now on, all bad stories about Uganda must be cleared by his office, and all media in Uganda would henceforth follow the rules.

Both the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda are owned by the Nation Media Group (NMG) conglomerate. The Daily Monitor reported that armed security personnel were stationed outside NMG Uganda's headquarters in Namuwongo, Kampala, and its Serena Hotel location, with staff saying no one was allowed to enter or leave. According to Reuters, NTV Uganda, Spark TV, and other TV and radio broadcasters owned by NMG were off the air in the country on Sunday.

Kainerugaba claimed he has had the power to shut down any media outlet since 2017, when his father, President Museveni, granted him this ability. Kainerugaba is seen as the likely successor to his father, who has ruled Uganda since 1986 and is also known for controversial social media posts. The government previously shut down the Daily Monitor for 10 days in 2013, and in 2007, NTV Uganda was taken off air months after its launch following government criticism of its coverage.

The Uganda People's Defence Forces, Uganda Police Force, and Uganda Communications Commission have yet to release a statement on the operation. Uganda's National Association of Broadcasters said it was deeply concerned about this action and its impact on the media ecosystem and constitutional rights.