By Kerry Wangui
Fresh concerns over press freedom have emerged in Uganda following reports that soldiers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) shut down the offices of Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda, disrupting the operations of several of the country’s leading independent media outlets.
The reported operation, which affected the Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda, Spark TV, KFM, and other NMG platforms, has sparked widespread criticism from journalists, civil society groups, media organizations and political commentators, who argue that the move threatens media freedom and the public’s right to access independent information.
According to reports, military personnel were deployed to NMG Uganda’s premises in Kampala after Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced on social media that the media outlets would be shut down. He also declared that he did not believe in a free press and that the affected outlets would not reopen without his permission.
The development has generated widespread debate across Uganda, with critics accusing the government of using security agencies to intimidate independent media instead of addressing issues raised by citizens.
“If President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, do not want Ugandans to speak, question or comment on government decisions, then they should ensure government services work effectively and that citizens have no reason to complain,” one political commentator said.
Kenya Editors’ Guild Condemns Shutdown
The Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) has strongly condemned the reported military raid on Nation Media Group Uganda, describing it as a serious attack on media freedom, freedom of expression and the rule of law.
In a statement issued on Monday, KEG President Zubeidah Kananu said the forced closure posed a grave threat to press freedom and infringed on the public’s constitutional right to access independent information.
The Guild called on the Ugandan authorities to immediately restore the operations of the affected media outlets, guarantee the safety of journalists and media workers, and uphold constitutional protections for press freedom.
It also urged regional bodies, including the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union (AU), to closely monitor the situation and support efforts to safeguard democratic principles and independent journalism in the region.
Renewed Scrutiny of Press Freedom
The incident has once again placed Uganda’s record on media freedom under international scrutiny.
Media rights advocates argue that an independent press is essential for democratic governance, enabling citizens to access credible information while holding public institutions accountable.
They contend that disputes involving media organisations should be resolved through lawful regulatory and judicial processes rather than military intervention.
Over the years, local and international press freedom organisations have documented concerns over restrictions affecting journalists and media houses in Uganda, particularly during politically sensitive periods.
Government supporters, however, have defended security interventions involving media organisations by arguing that authorities have a responsibility to safeguard national security and curb misinformation, provided any action is taken within the law.
As of the time of publication, neither the Ugandan government nor the UPDF had issued a detailed official explanation outlining the legal basis for the reported shutdown, while Nation Media Group Uganda said it would continue serving audiences through its digital platforms despite the disruption to its physical operations.
The reported closure is expected to attract increased attention from regional and international organisations monitoring press freedom, democratic governance and human rights, as calls grow for a swift resolution and the protection of independent journalism in Uganda.