Kampala, Uganda — HEADLINE: Uganda’s Military Chief Orders Closure of Major Media Outlets Amid Free Speech Crackdown LEDE: Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, ordered the closure of two major media outlets, the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda, declaring a strict control over media content in the country. NUT GRAF: The shutdown of the outlets, owned by the Nation Media Group (NMG), follows a series of social media posts by Kainerugaba, who dismissed the concept of a free press and announced that all media would be subject to his office’s approval. Kampala, Uganda – In a dramatic move that has sparked international concern, Uganda’s military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, ordered the closure of two of the country’s most prominent media outlets, the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda.
This decision, which came into effect on June 28, 2026, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing crackdown on free speech in Uganda.
The Daily Monitor, a leading independent daily newspaper, and NTV Uganda, one of the largest private broadcasters, are part of the Nation Media Group (NMG) conglomerate. Both outlets have been at the forefront of reporting on issues of governance and human rights in Uganda.
Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, made his position clear in a series of posts on social media. “
he declared. “From now on ALL bad stories about Uganda have to be cleared by my office! “.
These statements reflect a growing trend of authoritarianism under the Museveni administration, which has been in power since 1986.
The closure of the media outlets is seen as part of a broader crackdown on free speech in Uganda.
In recent weeks, there have been reports of increased pressure on journalists and activists, with several being detained and charged with various offenses.
This latest action by Kainerugaba has been widely condemned by both local and international human rights organizations.
The international community has expressed concern over the situation in Uganda.
The United Nations has called for the immediate reopening of the media outlets and an end to the suppression of free speech.
The African Union has also condemned the shutdown, highlighting the importance of freedom of expression in democratic societies.
The closure of the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda is a blow to media freedom in Uganda. It is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by journalists in countries where the rule of law is under threat.
As the situation in Uganda continues to evolve, the world watches closely to see how the government will respond to the growing calls for respect for human rights and the rule of law. KICKER: The closure of the media outlets has raised questions about the future of democracy in Uganda and the role of the media in holding governments accountable.
As the situation unfolds, the international community will be closely monitoring the actions of the Museveni administration and the response of the Ugandan people.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
Source: Christine Maguire and Reuters
