Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced the immediate shutdown of NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor after earlier warning that the outlets required President Yoweri Museveni’s clearance to continue operating.
According to Muhoozi, the media outlets are to cease their operations with immediate effect.
“NTV and Monitor are being shut down from today,” Muhoozi Kainerugaba directed through his official social media account on June 28.
Following his announcement, military personnel surrounded Nation Media Group’s premises, with reports indicating that NTV Uganda was taken off air and the publication of the Daily Monitor was disrupted.
Military Enforcement
According to the Daily Monitor, armed security personnel surrounded the NMG premises in Namuwongo and the Kampala Serena Hotel shortly after the General’s order to shut down.
In addition, the NTV Uganda added that their views were met with blank screens, with their videos being unavailable as of 5:00 p.m.
Following the immediate closure of the media houses, staff were reportedly restricted from entering or leaving the media outlets due to the heavy military presence, with the NTV Uganda posting images of the soldiers and further confirming the blackout.
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Muhoozi’s Stand on Media Outlets’ Closure
According to Muhoozi, the NTV Uganda and Monitor will not reopen without his authorization.
He further stated that he did not believe in a free press, arguing that the press should be guided by the revolution’s cadres.
“In Uganda, I DO NOT believe in a free press! Cadres of the revolution should guide the press.” Muhoozi declared
Public Reaction to Media Shutdown
Public responses to Muhoozi’s directive have been sharply divided. Supporters, including ruling party affiliates, hailed the closure as a necessary step to curb “fake news” and propaganda allegedly harmful to Uganda’s tourism and political stability.
Some members of the public have praised the general for protecting national interests and celebrated what they termed the silencing of the enemy press.
Critics, however, mocked Muhoozi’s spelling of “Monitor” as “Moniter,” questioned his authority, and warned of creeping censorship and family rule.
Additionally, some of the publics referenced past authoritarian tactics, raising alarms about constitutional guarantees of press freedom.
Skeptical voices noted that the outlets initially continued broadcasting, with NTV defiantly posting “We are live and clear,” challenging the feasibility of a complete shutdown.
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Past Media Suppression
According to the Daily Monitor analysis, the June 28 media shutdown is not the first time that NTV Uganda has faced state pressure.
In May 2013, police raided the Daily Monitor and Dembe FM over the Muhoozi Project succession letter, sealing premises for over a week.
Earlier in 2007, NTV Uganda was forced off air just months after its launch, with the alleged accusation of negative coverage.
Ugandan President Museveni has repeatedly criticized the Daily Monitor, once calling it an ‘enemy and evil newspaper’ following its reporting and criticism of the government.
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