KAMPALA (Realist English). Uganda’s Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered the shutdown of the country’s largest independent media outlets. On June 28, military personnel were deployed to the offices of the Daily Monitor newspaper, while broadcasting of NTV Uganda and Spark TV was suspended.
At least six publications and television channels belonging to the Nation Media Group came under attack.
In a series of posts on X, General Kainerugaba, the eldest son of President Yoweri Museveni, stated that the media “will not open without my permission.” He explained his decision thus: “In Uganda, I do not believe in a free press! The press must be guided by the cadres of the revolution.”
‘This Power Was Given to Me by My Great Father’
Kainerugaba, who has served as commander-in-chief since 2024, directly linked his authority to presidential power.
“I have the power in Uganda to close ANY media outlet I want. I have had this power since 2017. This power was given to me by my great father,” he wrote on X.
He also threatened that this was “only the beginning” and promised to “arrest many others.” On the same day, he also published a series of posts containing vulgar jokes, insults and threats of arrest directed at Ugandan public figures.
The National Association of Broadcasters of Uganda expressed deep concern over “these actions and their impact on the media ecosystem.” Susan Nsibirwa, Managing Director of Nation Media Group in Uganda, declined to comment.
‘Military Siege’ and Shutdown of Six Media Outlets
Daily Monitor staff reported that the shutdown occurred “during a raid in the early hours of Sunday.” Military personnel were deployed at the media group’s headquarters in Kampala, and staff were forbidden from leaving or entering the building. NTV Uganda and Spark TV were taken off the air, with viewers seeing a “video unavailable” message.
Although the order officially targeted two major outlets — Daily Monitor and NTV — the National Association of Broadcasters reported that at least six publishing and broadcasting structures, all owned by Nation Media Group, had been closed.
Nation Media Group is one of East Africa’s most influential media conglomerates, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
Daily Monitor has faced persecution before: in 2013, the government shut it down for 10 days over its coverage of succession issues, and President Museveni called it an “enemy and evil newspaper.” In 2007, NTV was also taken off air for “negative coverage” of news.
Consolidation of Power and Succession
The media shutdown followed the inauguration of 81-year-old President Museveni for a seventh consecutive term after a disputed election in January. The UN said the elections took place in “an atmosphere marked by widespread repression and intimidation of political opposition.”
General Kainerugaba, widely seen as his father’s successor, has significantly strengthened his position in recent days, issuing a series of directives and orders usually reserved for the head of state.
Earlier this month, he already dealt with a prominent lawyer who had tried to hold him accountable for violating the rights of opposition leader Kizza Besigye. Previously, Kainerugaba had threatened to behead opposition leader Bobi Wine.
Ugandan authorities have not yet officially commented on the situation. As Associated Press notes, the 81-year-old president is increasingly relying on his son’s military authority, and many believe that the military will have the decisive say in choosing his successor.