{"id":202806,"date":"2026-06-28T16:26:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T16:26:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tahrir2day.com\/news\/2026\/06\/28\/ugandas-leading-media-outlets-shut-down-by-army-chief\/"},"modified":"2026-06-28T16:26:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T16:26:10","slug":"ugandas-leading-media-outlets-shut-down-by-army-chief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tahrir2day.com\/news\/2026\/06\/28\/ugandas-leading-media-outlets-shut-down-by-army-chief\/","title":{"rendered":"Uganda’s leading media outlets shut down by army chief"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Uganda’s leading independent media group says it is under “military siege” after the army chief – who is the son of President Yoweri Museveni – ordered the closure of TV stations, newspapers and radio outlets.<\/b><\/p>\n

The Daily Monitor newspaper said that armed soldiers were stationed outside its headquarters in the capital Kampala and both NTV and Spark TV had been taken off air. <\/p>\n

The outlets are part of the Nation Media Group, one of the most influential media companies in East Africa. <\/p>\n

It is unclear what exactly led to the crackdown, but in posts on X, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba said: “I DO NOT believe in a free press! The press should be guided by cadres of the revolution.”<\/p>\n

Opposition and human rights groups accuse Gen Kainerugaba of being a central figure in a highly repressive regime led by his father.<\/p>\n

Supporters of the president and his family say they have guaranteed stability in Uganda, and the economy has improved under their rule. <\/p>\n

President Museveni, 81, is a former rebel leader who took power about 40 years ago. <\/p>\n

He won a record seventh term in disputed elections in January, with widespread speculation that he is grooming his son to succeed him one day.<\/p>\n

Gen Kainerugaba said on X that his “great father” had given him the “power to shut down any media house I want to”. <\/p>\n

He said that both NTV and Daily Monitor would “not re-open without my permission”. <\/p>\n

“From now on ALL media in Uganda will follow the rules!” the general added. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Daily Monitor said on X that the newspaper and its fellow outlets were ordered to close “in a crackdown during the wee hours of Sunday”. <\/p>\n

It did not give reasons for the crackdown, but covered the story on its website, external<\/span>.<\/p>\n

It said staff had reported that “no-one was allowed to enter or leave the compound”, while NTV Uganda and Spark TV viewers “were met with blank screens displaying the message ‘video unavailable’.”<\/p>\n

The article pointed out that the Daily Monitor had also been raided by police in 2013 over the publication of a letter allegedly linking senior government officials to a succession plan dubbed the ‘Muhoozi Project’, while NTV had been forced off air in 2007 following accusations by the government that its news coverage was negative. <\/p>\n

“Over the years, Museveni has also repeatedly criticised the Daily Monitor, at one point referring to it as an ‘enemy and evil newspaper’ over its critical journalism,” the article said. <\/p>\n

Uganda’s National Broadcasters Association said it would seek clarification from the government over the shutdown, saying it was in violation of the constitution. <\/p>\n

Defeated opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine, who is now in exile, said that Gen Kainerugaba had “moved to silence Uganda’s remaining independent voices”.<\/p>\n

“This is the harsh reality we now face, a country under open military rule, where fear replaces law and force replaces accountability,” he posted on X.<\/p>\n

During January’s fiercely contested election, Gen Kainerugaba caused outrage when in posts which were subsequently deleted, he threatened to have the testicles of Bobi Wine removed.<\/p>\n

Before the polls, opposition rallies were disrupted, with security forces at times opening fire. <\/p>\n

The United Nations said the election was held in an “environment marked by widespread repression and intimidation against the political opposition”.<\/p>\n

Election officials said the poll was free and fair.<\/p>\n

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Go to <\/i>BBCAfrica.com<\/i>, external<\/span> for more news from the African continent.<\/i><\/p>\n

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Follow us on Twitter <\/i>@BBCAfrica<\/i>, external<\/span><\/a>, on Facebook at <\/i>BBC Africa<\/i>, external<\/span> or on Instagram at <\/i>bbcafrica<\/i>, external<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n