Uganda’s military chief orders shutdown of two media outlets | News
Military Orders Closure of Major Media Outlets in Uganda
Published on June 28, 2026
KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s military chief announced the closure of two prominent media outlets, sparking concerns over press freedom in the country. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, declared on social media that the Daily Monitor, Uganda’s largest independent newspaper, and NTV Uganda, a leading private broadcaster, would remain closed indefinitely without his consent.
“In Uganda, I do not believe in a free press!” Kainerugaba stated on X, formerly known as Twitter. He added that all negative coverage of Uganda must be approved by his office, setting a concerning precedent for media operations in the country.
Military personnel have been deployed outside the headquarters of the Nation Media Group (NMG), which owns both outlets. The Daily Monitor reported that armed security forces were stationed at NMG locations in Namuwongo and at Serena Hotel in Kampala, restricting staff from entering or leaving these locations.
The shuttering of NTV Uganda, Spark TV, and other NMG broadcasting channels was reported by Reuters on Sunday. Kainerugaba asserted that he has possessed the authority to close any media outlet since 2017, a power granted to him by his father.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba is viewed as a possible successor to President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986. The younger Kainerugaba has gained notoriety for his inflammatory posts on social media. This is not the first time the government has interfered with media operations; the Daily Monitor was previously shut down for ten days in 2013, while NTV Uganda faced a temporary blackout shortly after its launch in 2007 due to governmental complaints regarding its coverage.
Authorities from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Uganda Police Force, and Uganda Communications Commission have not yet commented on the recent events. Meanwhile, the Uganda National Association of Broadcasters expressed deep concern over the closures, emphasizing the impact on the media landscape and constitutional rights.
