Uganda Army Chief Shuts 3 Major Outlets, Saying He Rejects Free Press
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 28
Uganda Army Chief Shuts 3 Major Outlets, Saying He Rejects Free Press
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 28
Summary
Armed soldiers ringed Nation Media Group’s Kampala headquarters early Sunday as Uganda’s army chief ordered Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda and Spark TV to close, with staff blocked from entering or leaving.
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba said on X that he does not believe in a free press, claimed President Yoweri Museveni gave him power to shut any media house, and said the outlets would not reopen without his permission.
Blank screens replaced NTV and Spark TV broadcasts, while Daily Monitor said the group was under military siege; no official reason for the crackdown was given beyond Kainerugaba’s public statements.
The shutdown hits one of East Africa’s most influential independent media groups and deepens concerns over repression in Uganda, where Museveni, 81, won a disputed seventh term in January and is widely seen as grooming his son to succeed him.
A president's son just silenced Uganda's top media. Is this the final step in cementing a political dynasty?
As a military takeover of the media unfolds, could dissent within the president's family signal the regime's end?
Uganda’s 2026 Media Crackdown: Shutdown of NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor Signals Deepening Authoritarianism Ahead of Elections
Overview
On June 28, 2026, Uganda saw a swift and dramatic crackdown on its media, with major outlets NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor abruptly shut down. This action followed a series of critical news reports about the country’s political and security leadership. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba openly claimed responsibility, stating he had the authority—granted by President Museveni since 2017—to close any media house and that these outlets could not reopen without his personal approval. The shutdown sparked widespread debate and highlighted the government’s intent to control public narratives and suppress dissenting voices.