Uganda Press Crackdown
Ugandan Army Chief, President's Son, Shuts Down Major News Outlet The Daily Monitor
Uganda's army chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered the shutdown of The Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda in the early hours of June 28, 2026, deploying armed soldiers to the broadcaster's Kampala offices. "NTV and Monitor are being shut down from today!" he posted on X at 1:14 AM, according to Pulse Uganda. He also ordered the arrest of Nation Media Group Uganda's Managing Director Susan Nsibirwa on sight.
By 5:00 AM, NTV Uganda and Spark TV were forced off-air. Muhoozi, the eldest son of President Yoweri Museveni, declared: "I have the power in Uganda to shut down ANY media house I want to," Newsday reported. The National Association of Broadcasters expressed "deep concern" over the impact on Uganda's media ecosystem, according to Associated Press.
A Midnight Raid Weeks in the Making
The shutdown did not come without warning. On June 17, Muhoozi first threatened to "switch off" The Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda, according to Howwe Biz. Tensions sharpened on June 23 when The Daily Monitor published a headline reading "Where is Janet?", questioning the public absence of First Lady Janet Museveni. The government viewed that story as a breach of "respectful reporting," The Investigator News reported.
Armed personnel deployed at NMG's Namuwongo headquarters and the Kampala Serena Hotel, which houses NTV's studios, according to The Star. Muhoozi claimed President Museveni had signed off on the plan, posting that "Mzee has approved my plan to close both NTV and Monitor," Citizen Digital reported. The president has not issued a formal public statement.
Muhoozi Consolidates Power Ahead of Likely Succession
Muhoozi has long been seen as the chosen heir to his father's rule. Museveni was sworn in for his seventh consecutive term in May 2026. Analysts described Muhoozi as Uganda's "de facto ruler" at the ceremony, according to Associated Press. He has since formed the Patriotic League of Uganda to build a political base for an eventual presidential run.
In June, military personnel abducted opposition lawyer Erias Lukwago from his home. Muhoozi later posted photos of a blindfolded Lukwago on social media, saying he took pride in the "pain" inflicted, according to Firstpost. Political analyst Dr. Jude Kagoro notes that elites and the military now act as if Muhoozi's presidency is "structurally probable," The Independent reported.
Shutdown Breaks the Law, Analysts Say
Legal experts say the closure violates the Uganda Communications Act of 2013, which requires a formal state of emergency for such shutdowns. The move was made by military order — not by a regulator or a court. Advocate Terry Kahuma argues it also breaks Article 29 of the Ugandan Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and a free press, according to reporting reviewed by Goshen News.
This is not the first time The Daily Monitor has been targeted. In May 2013, the paper was shut down for 11 days after publishing a letter alleging a plot to kill officials who opposed installing Muhoozi as Museveni's successor. The 2026 shutdown is already seen as the most severe press crackdown since that episode, according to Stamford Advocate.
Over 1,100 Jobs at Risk as Opposition Cries Foul
Nation Media Group is Uganda's largest private media house, employing more than 1,100 people. Its closure disrupts a UGX 516 billion advertising market. In March 2026, the Aga Khan Fund sold its 54% controlling stake in NMG to Tanzanian businessman Rostam Aziz. The group's market cap stood at Ksh 2.18 billion as of June 25, 2026.
Opposition leader Bobi Wine accused the regime of using military power to "silence independent journalism," according to The Eastleigh Voice. With traditional media now off-air, Ugandans are turning to TikTok, which has 9.3 million users in the country, and WhatsApp, used by 10 million people, for news — despite ongoing government throttling of those platforms. The U.S. State Department currently holds a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Uganda, a designation that could pave the way for targeted sanctions against military leaders.
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