Uganda’s leading independent media organization, Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda, has accused security forces of placing its operations under a “military siege” after soldiers were deployed to several of its facilities in Kampala.
Armed soldiers were reported outside the headquarters of the Daily Monitor newspaper in Namuwongo on Sunday, following an order by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kaineragaba to shut down the group’s media outlets.
According to reports, military personnel also surrounded the NTV Uganda and Spark TV broadcast centre at Serena Hotel in Kampala from around Sunday midnight. The stations were subsequently taken off air, disrupting normal broadcasting operations.Other NMG-owned outlets affected by the shutdown include Dembe FM, KFM, The East African, and the Daily Monitor, raising concerns over media freedom and the role of security agencies in regulating news organizations.
NMG Uganda described the developments as a military siege on independent journalism, saying its operations had been severely affected by the deployment of armed personnel and the suspension of broadcasts.
The shutdown follows escalating tensions between the media group and authorities, although the specific reasons behind the military action had not been officially detailed at the time of publication.The incident has reignited debate over press freedom in Uganda, where journalists and media organizations have previously faced restrictions, particularly during politically sensitive periods.
Gen Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, has in recent years become an influential figure in Uganda’s political and security landscape, with his public statements often drawing regional and international attention.
Media rights advocates are expected to closely monitor the situation as calls grow for authorities to restore broadcasts and allow affected newsrooms to resume normal operations
