Some of Uganda’s leading private media organisations have been forced off the air after the country’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, ordered the closure of NTV Uganda, Spark TV and the ‘Daily Monitor’. Security personnel reportedly took control of the Nation Media Group headquarters in Kampala on Sunday and restricted access to the premises.
Authorities have not announced any legal basis for the action. The shutdown followed days of public criticism by General Kainerugaba, who said the affected organisations would remain closed until he approved their reopening and declared that he does not support an independent press.
The media organisations had already faced increasing restrictions in recent months, including limited access to official events involving President Yoweri Museveni. Rights groups have previously raised concerns about press freedom and civil liberties in Uganda.
The latest action is expected to attract further scrutiny from press freedom advocates as Uganda prepares for another election cycle. President Museveni has been in power since 1986, while General Kainerugaba is widely regarded as a potential successor.
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