Under unrealistic circumstances, security opperatives have raided the headquarters of the Daily Monitor in Namuwongo, Kampala, on Sunday as Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda outlets remained under military shutdown following directives issued by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
"Military lays siege to Daily Monitor, NTV after Gen Muhoozi orders shutdown." Daily Monitor Tweeted on their X. The operation alsoaffected Dembe FM, Spark TV, and KFM all of which operate under the Nation Media Group. At the NTV and Spark TV broadcast centre at Serena Hotel, military personnel reportedly arrived shortly after midnight and ordered the stations off air, effectively halting their broadcasts.
The closure follows weeks of public threats by Gen. Muhoozi directed at NMG outlets. His criticism came after NTV aired a documentary examining his rapid rise through the military ranks, his public conduct, and issues surrounding the arrests of opposition figures and government critics.
Supporters of the media group argue that the documentary constituted legitimate journalism, while Gen. Muhoozi had repeatedly warned that the broadcaster would face consequences.
On Sunday morning, the CDF defended the action through posts on his X account. In one post, he wrote: "Let them wail. Uganda belongs to us." " In another, he declared: "All media in Uganda will follow the rules," without specifying which regulations he was referring to.
Gen. Muhoozi further asserted his authority over media operations, posting: "I have the power in Uganda to shut down any media house I want to. I take it again. I have had this power since 2017. This power was given to me by my great father, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. NTV and Daily Monitor are learning about it today."
The shutdown has sparked concern among journalists, media freedom advocates, and members of the public, who view the move as a significant development for press freedom in Uganda. As of Sunday, neither Nation Media Group Uganda nor the Uganda Communications Commission had publicly announced when the affected media houses would be allowed to resume operations.
The situation remains tense as soldiers continue to guard the affected premises while the country awaits further official communication regarding the closure.