KAMPALA. Uganda’s army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered the immediate shutdown of two of the country’s most prominent media outlets, Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda, in what analysts describe as the most severe assault on press freedom in East Africa in recent years. The directive, issued on Tuesday, cites national security concerns and alleges that the outlets have been spreading “malicious propaganda” designed to undermine the military.
The closures come amid heightened political tensions ahead of the 2026 presidential elections. General Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, has increasingly positioned himself as a political force, and his intervention in the media landscape is seen as an attempt to silence critical voices. The Uganda Communications Commission, acting on the army’s orders, has revoked the broadcasting licences of the two outlets and dispatched security personnel to their headquarters in Kampala, effectively halting operations.
International press freedom organisations have condemned the move. Reporters Without Borders described it as “a brutal crackdown on independent journalism” and called for the immediate reversal of the decision. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression has also voiced alarm, noting that the closures represent a dangerous precedent for the region.
The Ugandan government has defended the action, with Information Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi stating that the outlets had violated regulations and posed a risk to public order. However, critics argue that the real motive is to stifle dissent as the ruling National Resistance Movement faces growing discontent over corruption, economic hardship, and the president’s prolonged tenure.
Daily Monitor and NTV are owned by the Nation Media Group, a Nairobi-based company. In a statement, the group vowed to challenge the closure in court, calling it “an illegal and unconstitutional act”. Lawyers for the media houses have already filed an urgent petition with the High Court, arguing that the army’s intervention exceeds its mandate under Ugandan law.
The closures signal a deepening erosion of institutional checks in Uganda. The army, historically a pillar of stability, is now openly wielding power beyond its constitutional role. For President Museveni, who has ruled since 1986, the move may secure short-term control but risks long-term isolation from the international community and escalating domestic unrest.
As of this evening, the offices of Daily Monitor remain sealed, and NTV’s broadcast signal has been cut. The streets outside the buildings are quiet, but the silence speaks volumes about the state of press freedom in a country once hailed as a beacon of stability in the region.
