By Safi News Reporter
KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered the closure of leading media outlets NTV Uganda, Spark TV and the Daily Monitor in a move that has triggered widespread concern over press freedom in the East African nation.
The affected media houses reportedly went off air early Sunday after security officers conducted an overnight operation at the Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda headquarters in Namuwongo, Kampala.
The shutdown followed a series of social media posts by Gen. Muhoozi, who said the decision had received approval from President Yoweri Museveni.
In the posts, the military chief criticised what he described as negative reporting about Uganda and warned that future stories concerning the country would require clearance from his office.
Gen. Muhoozi also declared that he does not support an unrestricted press, insisting that the media should operate within the framework of the country’s revolutionary ideals.
He further stated that the affected outlets would remain closed until he authorises their reopening.
The military chief’s remarks have intensified debate over media independence and freedom of expression in Uganda, where journalists and human rights groups have previously raised concerns about restrictions on the press.
The closure is widely believed to be linked to recent coverage by the affected media organisations on Uganda’s political leadership and security establishment, although authorities have not released a formal statement detailing the reasons for the operation.
Nation Media Group Uganda is among the country’s largest independent media organisations, operating NTV Uganda, Daily Monitor, Star TV, Dembe FM and other news platforms.
The latest development has drawn comparisons to the 2013 raid on Daily Monitor’s offices, when security agencies shut down the newspaper and temporarily suspended broadcasts by KFM and Dembe FM following the publication of a leaked letter alleging a succession plan involving Gen. Muhoozi.
The government denied the allegations, saying the operation formed part of investigations into leaked intelligence documents.
That incident, popularly referred to as the “Muhoozi Project,” attracted condemnation from regional and international media rights organisations, which described the action as a serious setback for press freedom.
As of Sunday, the affected media outlets remained off air, and there was no indication from authorities on when they would be allowed to resume operations.
Press freedom advocates are expected to closely monitor the situation as calls grow for the government to safeguard media independence and uphold constitutional freedom