Ugandan Military Chief Orders Closure of Major Media Houses, Sparking Press Freedom Concerns

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, , has ordered the closure of two of the country’s leading media organisations, a move that has triggered widespread concern over media freedom and freedom of expression.

Kainerugaba announced the decision on social media, declaring that the closures of the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda marked the beginning of a broader crackdown on media institutions. He further asserted that he possessed the authority to shut down media organisations and openly stated that he did not believe in press freedom.

The affected outlets are owned by , one of East Africa’s largest independent media companies. Following the announcement, military personnel reportedly raided the company’s headquarters in Kampala, preventing employees from entering or leaving the premises.

According to Uganda’s National Association of Broadcasters, at least six publishing and broadcasting outlets operated by Nation Media Group were forced to cease operations, significantly disrupting news dissemination across the country.

The development has intensified concerns among media stakeholders, civil society organisations and press freedom advocates, who view the action as a major setback for independent journalism in Uganda.

Kainerugaba, who has served as Uganda’s top military commander since 2024, is widely regarded as a potential successor to his father, . He has previously attracted criticism for controversial social media posts targeting opposition leaders, activists and other public figures.

The closure of the media houses is expected to fuel renewed debate over the state of press freedom, democratic governance and the role of security institutions in Uganda’s political landscape.

By Witness A Phiri