The Ugandan military has shut down two of the country’s most prominent independent media organisations, sparking international condemnation and raising fears of a deepening crackdown on dissent ahead of elections. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) confirmed it had revoked the licences of Daily Monitor and NBS Television, accusing them of “airing false information” and “undermining national security”. The closures follow months of tension between the government of President Yoweri Museveni and the press, which has been increasingly critical of his 35-year rule.
At the heart of the dispute is a series of reports on the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for January 2021. The outlets have been covering the opposition campaign of Bobi Wine, a pop star turned politician whom the government has repeatedly targeted. Wine faces charges of violating coronavirus protocols and illegal gatherings, which his supporters say are politically motivated. The UPDF’s decision came hours after the army chief, General David Muhoozi, announced the revocation on state television, stating that the media houses had “crossed the line” by broadcasting material that could incite violence. He warned that any further violations would lead to permanent closure.
The shutdowns were swiftly condemned by the British government. In a rare intervention, the Foreign Office in London issued a statement calling the move “a serious assault on the independence of the media and the fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly”. The British High Commissioner to Uganda, Kate Airey, reiterated the country’s commitment to democratic values and urged the Ugandan authorities to reverse the decision. The United Nations also expressed concern, with a spokesman for the Secretary-General noting that “such actions are incompatible with the principles of democracy and the rule of law”.
The closures are the most aggressive under Museveni’s tenure since the 2006 crackdown on independent media. The Daily Monitor, owned by the Nation Media Group (a regional powerhouse), has a daily circulation of roughly 30,000 and is widely respected for its investigative journalism. NBS Television is the only privately owned station in the country with a national reach. Both outlets have faced intermittent harassment and censorship in recent years, but the full withdrawal of their licences represents an unprecedented escalation.
The timing of the move is significant. Uganda is scheduled to hold its sixth general election since the end of the civil war in 1986, with polls scheduled for January 14. Museveni, 76, is seeking to extend his rule following constitutional changes that removed age limits for the presidency in 2017. The opposition has accused him of using the military and security services to intimidate rivals and restrict civil liberties. The press has been a particular target: at least 12 journalists have been arrested in the past three months, and a new law passed in July criminalises the publication of information deemed “detrimental to national security”.
The Ugandan government has defended its actions, arguing that the country is fighting a covert information war. In a press conference on Thursday evening, Information Minister Judith Nabakooba stated that the media houses had been “hijacked by foreign interests” and that their reporting had been “irresponsible and dangerous”. She further claimed that the closures were temporary, pending a full inquiry into their editorial practices. However, no timeline for the inquiry was given, and the UPDF’s role in a civilian regulatory process has alarmed lawyers and rights groups.
The response from the international community has been measured but firm. The British condemnation follows a similar denunciation from the United States, which had already warned of consequences for government interference in the election. The European Union has called for an immediate reversal of the shutdowns, while the African Union has remained silent, drawing criticism from regional advocates of press freedom. The crackdown is likely to further strain Uganda’s relationships with Western donors, who provide about 20 per cent of its national budget. Museveni, a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist extremism in Somalia, has recently pivoted towards China, which has increased its economic engagement with the country.
The closures have left the Ugandan media landscape in a state of shock. The Daily Monitor’s newsroom in Kampala was locked by police, and staff were instructed to vacate the premises. The offices of NBS TV were also raided, with military personnel confiscating equipment and arresting three journalists, who were later released without charge. The journalists’ union has called for a nationwide strike, while the opposition has urged international partners to impose sanctions on those responsible.
In a sign of the potential for further confrontation, General Muhoozi warned that “no institution is above the law” and that the military would continue to act against any “subversive elements”. The statement has raised fears that other independent outlets could be next. The closures also come amid preparations for a national lockdown to curb a spike in coronavirus cases, which could further restrict media operations. For now, the silence on airwaves and newsstands speaks louder than any editorial.
