Uganda Army Chief Orders Shutdown of Major Media Outlets
Armed soldiers reportedly deployed as leading TV, radio, and newspaper outlets are taken off air in Kampala
- Uganda’s army chief ordered the shutdown of leading TV, radio, and newspaper outlets
- Armed soldiers were reportedly deployed as major media stations were taken off air in Kampala
- The move has triggered widespread concern over press freedom and democratic rights
Uganda’s leading independent media group has reported that it is under what it described as a “military siege” after the country’s army chief, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba—son of President Yoweri Museveni—ordered the shutdown of several major television, radio, and print outlets.
According to the Daily Monitor newspaper, armed soldiers were deployed outside its headquarters in the capital, Kampala, while NTV Uganda and Spark TV were taken off air.
The affected outlets form part of the Nation Media Group, one of East Africa’s most influential media conglomerates.
The exact trigger for the crackdown remains unclear. However, Gen Kainerugaba stated in posts on X that he does not believe in a free press, adding that “the press should be guided by cadres of the revolution.”
In further comments, he claimed that President Museveni had granted him authority to shut down any media house, adding that the affected outlets would not reopen without his approval.
He also declared that “from now on ALL media in Uganda will follow the rules.”
The Daily Monitor said soldiers surrounded its premises in an overnight operation, restricting movement in and out of the compound. It further reported that viewers of NTV Uganda and Spark TV were met with blank screens displaying “video unavailable.”
The media group noted that this was not the first confrontation with authorities. In 2013, its offices were reportedly raided over allegations linked to a controversial succession plan, while NTV was previously taken off air in 2007 following government criticism of its reporting.
Opposition figures, including exiled politician Bobi Wine, condemned the shutdown, describing it as part of a broader effort to silence independent voices and entrench military control.
Uganda’s National Broadcasters Association has called for clarification from authorities, warning that the action may violate constitutional protections for press freedom.
The development has sparked renewed concern over media freedom and political repression in Uganda, where critics say independent journalism continues to face significant state pressure.
