KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has intensified his attacks on Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda, claiming security agencies are searching for the company’s Managing Director, Ms Susan Nsibirwa, hours after NTV Uganda and Spark TV were taken off air in a security operation.
The remarks, posted on Gen Muhoozi’s verified X account on Sunday, have raised fresh concerns over press freedom and the safety of media executives amid an ongoing crackdown targeting one of Uganda’s largest independent media organisations.
In a series of posts, the army chief publicly singled out Ms Nsibirwa, suggesting that security agencies were actively seeking her.
“Sue Nsibirwa… I’m looking for her,” Gen Muhoozi wrote.
In a subsequent post, he added:
“I hear there is a small girl called ‘Sue….’ We are looking for her. We will discipline her. She cannot cause chaos in our country.”
The CDF later claimed that police officers had been instructed to arrest her.
“All police patrols are instructed to arrest her on sight!” he wrote.
Security operation targets Nation Media Group
The comments came against the backdrop of an overnight security operation at Nation Media Group Uganda premises in Namuwongo and the Kampala Serena Hotel, where NTV Uganda and Spark TV operate.
The deployment of soldiers and other security personnel effectively disrupted operations across the media group.
By Sunday morning, viewers attempting to access NTV Uganda and Spark TV were met with blank screens displaying the message: “Video unavailable.”
The disruption also affected NMG-owned radio stations, including 93.3 KFM and 90.4 Dembe FM, with listeners reporting interruptions to normal broadcasts.
Staff members reported being denied access to their workplaces, while security personnel reportedly restricted movement at the affected premises.
Muhoozi defends closure
Gen Muhoozi defended the actions taken against the media house, asserting that he possessed the authority to shut down media organisations operating in Uganda.
“I have the power in Uganda to shut down ANY media house I want to. I have had this power since 2017. This power was given to me by my great father President @KagutaMuseveni. NTV and Daily Monitor are learning about it today,” he posted.
In another message, he warned that media organisations would be required to comply with government directives.
“From now on ALL media in Uganda will follow the rules!” he wrote.
The comments have sparked debate among journalists, lawyers and civil society groups over the independence of the media and the legality of actions taken against the broadcaster.
No official charges announced
As of publication, there was no indication that Ms Nsibirwa had been arrested or that any criminal charges had been filed against her.
Neither the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) nor the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) had issued formal statements explaining the legal basis for the operation against Nation Media Group or the remarks directed at its executive director.
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Nation Media Group Uganda had also not publicly responded to Gen Muhoozi’s comments by the time of publication.
Growing concerns over press freedom
The latest developments represent a significant escalation in tensions between Uganda’s security establishment and independent media organisations.
Nation Media Group Uganda operates some of the country’s most influential media brands, including NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Daily Monitor, KFM, Dembe FM, and several digital and print platforms. The company employs more than 500 people across Uganda.
Media rights advocates have previously warned that threats against journalists and media executives can have a chilling effect on press freedom and public access to information.
The shutdown also revives memories of previous confrontations between state authorities and Nation Media Group. In 2013, security agencies raided the Daily Monitor and Dembe FM premises, keeping them closed for more than a week following the publication of a controversial letter linked to succession politics.
President Yoweri Museveni has on several occasions publicly criticised the Daily Monitor and other independent media outlets over their reporting.
With security personnel still deployed at Nation Media Group facilities and no official explanation provided by authorities, uncertainty remains over when the broadcaster’s television, radio and newspaper operations will resume.
