Uganda’s military chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered the shutdown of major media outlets belonging to Nation Media Group on Sunday, 28 June 2026, escalating tensions between the Government and independent press institutions.
The affected outlets include NTV Uganda, Spark TV, and the Daily Monitor, which were taken off air after troops were deployed to their premises. The closures reportedly followed critical reporting on governance, human rights, and security issues linked to Gen. Kainerugaba.
Gen. Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, announced the action on the social media platform X, stating that he had the authority to shut down any media house in Uganda and that the press should operate under strict political guidance. He also directed security forces to arrest Nation Media Group Managing Director Susan Nsibirwa.
The move was carried out without formal explanation from regulatory bodies such as the Uganda Communications Commission, raising concerns over due process and institutional independence. Nation Media Group has not yet issued a detailed public response, while its offices remain under heavy military presence.
Media watchdogs and human rights organizations have condemned the development, describing it as a serious setback for press freedom and an indication of tightening state control over independent journalism in Uganda.