Press Freedom fears grow as Uganda shuts down influential media outlets

Some of Uganda’s most influential private media organisations have been forced off the air in a move that has intensified concerns over press freedom in the East African nation.

The action followed an order by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Staff, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, who has publicly declared his opposition to an independent press.

Broadcast operations at NTV Uganda and Spark TV were disrupted, while the Daily Monitor also came under the clampdown as security personnel moved into the headquarters of Nation Media Group in Kampala.

Employees said armed security operatives took control of access to the premises in the early hours of Sunday, restricting movement and disrupting normal operations.

Authorities did not immediately provide any legal basis for the intervention.

The development followed several days of public threats by Kainerugaba, who repeatedly criticised the affected media organisations and warned that action would be taken against them.

He insisted that the stations would remain closed until he personally approved their reopening.

> “Both NTV and Monitor will not re-open without my permission,” he said.

The military chief also claimed he had the authority to shut down any media organisation in Uganda.

> “I have the power in Uganda to shut down ANY media house I want to,” he wrote.

Kainerugaba further dismissed the principle of media independence, saying he does not believe in a free press and arguing that journalists should operate under the guidance of what he described as “cadres of the revolution.”

He also warned that the closure of the media organisations was only the beginning of a wider crackdown.

> “The closure of NTV and Monitor is just the beginning. We are going to arrest many more,” he said.

The affected media organisations had already faced increasing restrictions in recent months, including limited access to official events involving President Museveni.

The latest action has renewed scrutiny of Uganda’s political environment, where concerns over civil liberties and freedom of expression have continued to grow amid shifting political dynamics.

President Museveni, 81, has ruled Uganda since seizing power in 1986, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. He secured another term following a disputed election.

Kainerugaba has increasingly emerged as a prominent political figure and is widely seen as a potential successor to his father.

The shutdown of the media organisations is expected to attract criticism from press freedom advocates and human rights groups as Uganda moves closer to another electoral season marked by growing debate over political succession and democratic freedoms.