Uganda’s army chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered the closure of an independent media group, declaring that he does not believe in press freedom.
According to AFP, Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, announced the directive on Sunday via his X handle, ordering the shutdown of Nation Media Group’s television, radio, and newspaper operations.
“NTV and Monitor are being shut down from today!” he wrote, referring to NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor.
He added: “In Uganda, I DO NOT believe in a free press! The press should be guided by cadres of the revolution.”
Following the announcement, the Daily Monitor disclosed that its premises in Kampala had come under military occupation.
“We are under military siege,” the newspaper posted on X, adding that armed soldiers had been stationed outside its offices.
The media organisation said the shutdown also affected its other outlets, including Dembe FM, Spark TV, KFM, and The East African.
A senior NTV reporter, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, said: “We’ve been shut down by the military at both the NTV studios and offices. No one is allowed in or out. Those who worked last night were ordered to leave by the military.”
Nation Media Group (NMG) said soldiers stormed its premises at about 1:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, disconnecting electricity and disrupting operations.
“The military raid was carried out at 1:00 a.m. local time early Sunday, causing the disconnection of electricity and disruption of operations,” the company said in a statement.
Kainerugaba also ordered the arrest of NMG Managing Director, Susan Nsibirwa.
“Arrest Susan Nsibirwa on sight,” he wrote before later withdrawing the directive, saying government spokesman Alan Kasujja had intervened and would handle the matter.
The army chief accused the Nation Media Group of a “lifetime of insults” against him, insisting that the closure had the backing of his father, President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for four decades.
He further warned that the affected media outlets would remain closed until he approved their reopening.
“They will not re-open without my permission,” he said.
“From now on, ALL media in Uganda will follow the rules!” he added. “I am going to arrest many more.”
Meanwhile, the leading rights organisation Agora has been summoned by police to appear on Tuesday over allegations of fraud and money laundering.
Also, lawyer Erias Lukwago, who represents opposition leader Kizza Besigye, has reportedly been arrested and charged with complicity in treason.
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the action, describing “the use of state security forces to carry out publicly announced threats against independent media” as “a deeply troubling escalation.”
Similarly, the Kenya-based rights organisation Vocal Africa described the raid as “a dangerous silencing of the press” and demanded “the immediate withdrawal of military forces from NMG-U offices” as well as “the unconditional restoration of all disrupted broadcast frequencies.”
The Daily Monitor, established in 1992, is one of Uganda’s leading independent newspapers. It was previously shut down for 13 days in 2013 after publishing a report alleging that Kainerugaba was being groomed to eventually succeed his father as president.
Uganda currently ranks 143rd out of 180 countries on the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index.
