Uganda media shutdown: military orders closure of Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda
Uganda media shutdown: Military forces closed the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda on 28 June 2026 after Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered all “bad stories” to be cleared by his office, sparking broadcaster outages and rights concerns.
The Uganda media shutdown unfolded on Sunday, 28 June 2026, when military authorities ordered the immediate closure of two of the country’s largest news outlets, the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda. Armed personnel were reported at Nation Media Group locations in Kampala, and several television and radio services owned by NMG went off air, according to staff accounts and news agency reports.
Military orders closure of Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda
The chief of Uganda’s military, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced on the social media platform X that the two outlets were being shut and would not reopen without his permission. He wrote that he did not believe in a free press and that “ALL bad stories about Uganda have to be cleared by my office,” statements that signalled direct intervention in editorial independence.
The closures affected multiple NMG properties, including NTV Uganda and Spark TV, which were reported offline across the country on Sunday. Staff at NMG’s Namuwongo headquarters and its Serena Hotel office said armed security personnel were positioned outside and movement in and out of the premises was restricted.
Nation Media Group confirms lockdown at Kampala sites
Nation Media Group, which owns the Daily Monitor and several electronic broadcasters, said its staff were unable to access offices and that operations were disrupted. Employees reported heavy security presence at key NMG facilities and expressed concern about the safety of personnel and the integrity of news operations.
NTV Uganda and other NMG channels were not broadcasting in the hours following the order, a development confirmed by independent reporting and eyewitness accounts. The sudden loss of multiple major broadcasters created an immediate information vacuum for audiences in Uganda.
Kainerugaba’s assertion of authority and social media posts
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the president’s son and army chief, asserted authority over the media in written posts on X, declaring that from now on negative coverage would require clearance from his office. He referenced powers he said had been granted to him in 2017, when President Yoweri Museveni reportedly conferred expanded responsibilities on his son.
Kainerugaba is widely viewed as a potential successor to President Museveni, who has led Uganda since 1986. His public pronouncements on social media have previously provoked controversy and heightened concerns about political influence over state institutions and the flow of information.
Historical context of media restrictions in Uganda
The closures follow a pattern of prior government action against independent media in Uganda, including a 10-day shutdown of the Daily Monitor in 2013 and the removal of NTV Uganda from airwaves in 2007 after critical coverage. Media organisations and rights groups have long criticised restrictions that curtail press freedom and limit public scrutiny.
Observers note that Uganda has experienced repeated clashes between authorities and independent newsrooms, with regulators and security forces periodically restricting broadcasts, imposing fines, or blocking online content. Those precedents informed industry alarm when the military moved against NMG on 28 June 2026.
Regulatory and industry responses to the shutdown
At the time of the operation, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda Communications Commission had not issued public statements explaining the actions. The regulatory silence intensified calls for clarity about the legal basis for the shutdown and the fate of journalists and staff at the affected outlets.
Uganda’s National Association of Broadcasters said it was closely monitoring developments and described the action as “deeply concerned” with potential impacts on the media ecosystem and constitutional rights. Rights groups and media bodies are expected to press for immediate access and restoration of services.
Potential domestic and international implications
The abrupt interruption of major independent news outlets risks undermining public access to verified information on governance, security and daily life. Analysts warn that the shutdown could chill reporting across the sector and prompt self-censorship among remaining outlets concerned about reprisals or legal consequences.
International observers and diplomatic missions frequently cite press freedom as a barometer of governance, and a forcible closure of independent media is likely to draw scrutiny. The scale of the outage and the prominent role of the outlets involved mean the move will reverberate inside Uganda and abroad.
Journalists at NMG and other Ugandan newsrooms were left seeking clarification about the duration of the shutdown and the safety of editorial materials and staff. With key regulators quiet and the military asserting direct control, media organisations, civil society and international partners will be watching closely for developments and for restoration of independent reporting.
