Uganda Military Chief Orders Closure of Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda

Uganda's highest-ranking military officer says he has instructed authorities to close two of the country's largest news organisations.

Muhoozi Kainerugaba disclosed on Sunday that the Daily Monitor, the nation's foremost independent daily newspaper, and NTV Uganda, one of its biggest private television networks, were ordered shut and would stay closed until he grants permission for them to resume operations.

Kainerugaba, who is the son of President Yoweri Museveni, aired his position on the social platform X. "In Uganda, I do not believe in a free press!" he wrote. In another post from a longer thread, he stated: "From now on ALL bad stories about Uganda have to be cleared by my office!" He further said that, from that point forward, every media outlet in Uganda would be required to abide by his rules.

Both the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda belong to the Nation Media Group (NMG) conglomerate. The newspaper reported that armed security personnel had been stationed outside NMG Uganda's headquarters in Namuwongo, Kampala, as well as at its Serena Hotel location. Staff members said no one was permitted to enter or leave either site.

According to Reuters, NTV Uganda, Spark TV, and other television and radio stations owned by NMG were off the air across Uganda on Sunday.

Kainerugaba said he has held the authority to shut down any media outlet since 2017, when his father granted him that power. He is widely viewed as the likely successor to Museveni, who has governed Uganda since 1986 and is himself known for provocative posts on social media.

Museveni's administration has previously targeted these same outlets. The government closed the Daily Monitor for 10 days in 2013. In 2007, NTV Uganda was pulled from the air only months after its launch, following official criticism of its coverage.

As of Sunday, the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), the Uganda Police Force, and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) had not issued any statement on the operation.

Uganda's National Association of Broadcasters said it was watching the situation closely. The body said it was "deeply concerned about this action and its impact on the media ecosystem" and about the rights guaranteed under the constitution.