Ugandan Army Orders Closure of Leading Independent Media Outlets
Armed forces in Uganda have moved to block the operations of several prominent independent media organisations, including the Daily Monitor newspaper, the television broadcaster NTV Uganda and the channel Spark TV. The shutdown was carried out by soldiers acting on direct orders from the army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who also serves as the son of President Yoweri Museveni.
According to eyewitness accounts, the military siege involved the deployment of armed personnel to the headquarters of each outlet, effectively preventing journalists and staff from entering the premises. The action was swift and coordinated, with no public explanation offered by the authorities at the time of the closures. The affected outlets are among the most widely read and viewed sources of news in the country, known for their critical reporting on government policies.
General Kainerugaba has previously expressed a hostile view toward the idea of a free press, publicly questioning its role in Ugandan society. His statements have been interpreted by observers as an indication of the strategic intent behind the recent clamp‑down. The involvement of the army chief, rather than a civilian regulatory body, underscores the military’s direct role in the suppression of media activity.
Human‑rights organisations, both within Uganda and internationally, have reacted with alarm. Press‑freedom groups have described the closures as a “severe threat to democracy,” warning that the silencing of independent voices undermines the public’s right to information and erodes accountability mechanisms. The statements from these groups emphasize that the move contravenes Uganda’s constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression.
The government has not yet issued an official response to the allegations of media suppression. While President Museveni’s administration has historically maintained a complex relationship with the press, the current episode raises questions about the balance of power between the civilian leadership and the military establishment, especially given the army chief’s familial link to the president.
Looking ahead, the affected media organisations face uncertain futures. Legal challenges may be pursued to contest the shutdowns, and international diplomatic pressure could intensify if the situation escalates. Observers note that the incident may set a precedent for further restrictions on independent reporting, unless corrective measures are taken by Ugandan authorities to restore the outlets’ operations and reaffirm commitments to press freedom.
