Nation Media Group Uganda Resumes Operations After Museveni’s Intervention

Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda has announced the resumption of its broadcasting and publishing operations after nearly a month-long shutdown, following approval from President Yoweri Museveni.

In a statement on July 28, the media house said its television, print, radio and digital platforms would gradually return to normal operations as it completes the necessary operational arrangements.

“Nation Media Group Uganda is pleased to announce the resumption of its operations. Our services across television, print, radio and digital will be restored progressively as we complete the necessary operational arrangements,” the company said.

Museveni Approval Clears Way for NMG Uganda to Resume Broadcasting

The development ends a standoff that began on June 28 when the group’s operations were suspended amid tensions between the Ugandan government and the country’s leading independent media network.

NMG also thanked its audiences, advertisers and business partners for their patience throughout the disruption.

Also Read: Muhoozi Holds Crisis Talks With Nation Media Group Leadership Over Shutdown of Major Ugandan Outlets

“We appreciate the patience and understanding shown by our audiences, clients and partners during this period and appreciate your continued trust and confidence in our brands.”

Chairman Joe Muganda said the company would continue delivering credible journalism as operations resumed.

“As we return to serving you, our focus remains the delivery of trusted and balanced journalism across all our platforms,” stated Muganda.

The reopening follows discussions involving the company’s majority shareholder, Tanzanian businessman Rostam Azizi, and Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Azizi welcomed the decision, thanking President Museveni and General Kainerugaba for helping resolve the impasse.

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni for this important decision, and to General Muhoozi Kainerugaba for his support throughout the engagement that led to this positive outcome,” Azizi said.

How the Shutdown Began

The suspension of NMG Uganda’s operations began on the night of June 27 after General Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced on X that President Museveni had approved plans to close NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor.

Hours later, soldiers were deployed to Nation Media Group’s headquarters and the Kampala studios of NTV Uganda and Spark TV. Security officers blocked access to the premises, cut the electricity supply, and halted broadcasts.

The shutdown also affected the group’s radio stations, KFM and Dembe FM, as well as the Daily Monitor newspaper and The East African weekly publication.

No formal explanation was immediately issued by the authorities for the closure.

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the shutdown came after NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor published investigative reports on the arrests of opposition politicians, lawyers and human rights defenders in cases that allegedly implicated General Muhoozi.

Also Read: Muhoozi Orders Immediate Shutdown of Major Ugandan News Outlets

The media watchdog also reported that an article concerning First Lady Janet Museveni had further strained relations between the media house and the authorities.

Media House Says It Faced Growing Pressure

NMG journalists said the shutdown followed weeks of pressure over the group’s editorial coverage.

Solomon Kaweesa, News Producer and Manager of News and Planning at Nation Media Group, told Reporters Without Borders that the company had repeatedly received warnings over its reporting on governance and human rights issues.

He said that despite the shutdown of its physical operations, the newsroom continued publishing through its digital platforms while staff worked remotely.

Meanwhile, General Muhoozi defended the closure through a series of posts on X, declaring that he did not believe in a free press and insisting that the affected media outlets would not reopen without his approval.

He also claimed the shutdown had caused significant financial losses to the company and warned that all media houses in Uganda would be required to “follow the rules.”

Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.