The Ugandan government has ordered the closure of several leading media outlets, including the Daily Monitor and the independent television station NBS, in a move that has drawn sharp condemnation from the United Kingdom. The shutdown, which took effect early this morning, is the latest in a series of crackdowns on press freedom under President Yoweri Museveni’s administration.
In a statement issued from the Foreign Office in London, the UK government expressed its deep concern, calling the closures an ‘assault on democratic institutions’ and a violation of the right to free expression. The British High Commission in Kampala said it is ‘urgently seeking clarification’ from Ugandan authorities and has called for the immediate reversal of the decision.
The media owners were informed by the Uganda Communications Commission that their licenses had been revoked due to alleged breaches of broadcasting standards, including ‘spreading false information’ and ‘undermining national security’. However, journalists and press freedom groups argue that the real motive is to silence critical voices ahead of the 2026 general elections.
For the Ugandan people, this is a devastating blow. Many rely on these outlets for independent news, especially in regions where state media dominates. The closures mean a loss of jobs for hundreds of journalists and support staff. Already, the country’s economy – heavily dependent on small businesses and informal trade – risks being further destabilised by the erosion of transparency. The cost of bread, a staple in many Ugandan homes, has risen by 15 per cent in the last year. Without a free press, ordinary citizens have little power to hold the government to account for such price hikes.
The UK’s condemnation is significant but must be matched by action. The British government has previously suspended aid to Uganda over human rights abuses. Trade ties, too, are at stake. The UK imports Ugandan coffee and tea, goods that could be leveraged for political pressure. Yet, the real test lies in whether the international community will rally behind the Ugandan people, not just with words but with concrete support for their right to know and to speak freely.
In the meantime, journalists in Kampala are defiant. Many say they will continue to report from underground, using encrypted messaging apps to share news. But the risks are enormous. Several reporters have been arrested in recent weeks, and the threat of violence looms large. This is not just a media crisis. It is a crisis for every Ugandan who wants a say in their future.
The UK’s condemnation is a start. But ordinary people in Uganda need more than statements. They need solidarity that translates into real pressure on a regime that sees independent journalism as a threat. That pressure cannot come from London alone. It must come from every capital that values democracy. And it must come now, before the silence becomes absolute.
