Published：Jun 28, 08:41Last updated：Jun 28, 18:19

Uganda Army Chief Shuts Down Independent Media

Jun. 28, 2026 08:41

Uganda's army chief, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, has ordered the shutdown of the country's main independent media group. The move follows accusations of biased reporting against the media outlet. This action raises concerns about press freedom and government control over media in Uganda.

Summarized

8News

8Media

Jun. 28, 2026 16:22

Uganda's military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, ordered the shutdown of media outlets, stating he does not believe in a free press. Kainerugaba is the son of President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled for decades. The move reflects ongoing restrictions on press freedom in Uganda. The order was issued on June 28, 2026.

Jun. 28, 2026 18:19

Uganda's army chief and president's son, Kainerugaba, has halted the operations of various media outlets. The specific reason is unclear, but political repression in Uganda is increasing, largely due to Kainerugaba.

Uganda's military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni, has ordered the shutdown of the country's leading independent media outlets, including Nation Media Group and Daily Monitor. Armed soldiers were deployed to media offices in Kampala, with TV stations NTV and Spark TV taken off air. The move has sparked widespread condemnation as a severe crackdown on press freedom. Bloomberg+2

🚨 Military Siege on Media

Nation Media Group reported being under "military siege" after soldiers surrounded their headquarters in Kampala. The crackdown occurred in the early hours, with Gen Kainerugaba justifying the action on social media platform X, stating he does not believe in a free press. Opposition groups labeled it as part of a repressive regime's tactics. BBC News+2

📢 Government Justification

Gen Kainerugaba claimed all media must follow government rules, accusing outlets of biased reporting. His public statements on X emphasized strict compliance with regulations, though no specific violations were cited. The order was executed without prior warning or legal proceedings. Toronto Star+2

🌍 International Concerns

Human rights organizations and opposition groups have condemned the shutdown as an authoritarian move. The targeting of major outlets like NTV and Daily Monitor signals escalating government control over information. Critics argue this reflects broader suppression of dissent under President Museveni's long rule. Bloomberg+2

📡 Media Blackout Impact

The closure has created an information vacuum, with multiple radio stations and newspapers forced offline. Journalists reported being barred from accessing their offices, while social media posts by Gen Kainerugaba indicated intentions to expand media restrictions. The blackout follows a pattern of increasing censorship in Uganda. BBC News+2

KampalaDaily MonitorYoweri MuseveniNation Media GroupMuhoozi Kainerugaba