KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has agreed to reopen Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda’s media outlets, including NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor, less than a day after security forces raided the company’s premises and forced the broadcaster off air.
The development marks a dramatic reversal in a controversy that triggered widespread concern among media stakeholders, press freedom advocates and opposition politicians both within Uganda and across the East African region.
The announcement was made on Sunday by Andrew Mwenda, spokesperson of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), following discussions with Gen Muhoozi.
“I have just held discussions with Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and we, as leaders of PLU, have agreed that we shall reopen both Daily Monitor and NTV soon,” Mwenda posted on social media.
He added that discussions with Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda management would take place before operations fully resume.
“However, we shall first have discussions with the management of both sister companies. I will inform them when we can have this meeting.”
Shutdown sparked national and regional concern
The announcement came hours after armed security personnel were deployed at Nation Media Group’s headquarters in Namuwongo and facilities linked to its broadcasting operations at Kampala Serena Hotel.
The operation disrupted transmissions at NTV Uganda, Spark TV, KFM and Dembe FM, while operations at the Daily Monitor newspaper were also affected.
Employees reported being denied access to their workplaces as security personnel sealed off sections of the company’s facilities.
The shutdown followed a series of social media posts by Gen Muhoozi in which he publicly declared that the media outlets would be closed.
“NTV and Monitor are being shut down from today!” he wrote shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday.
In a subsequent post, he stated:
“Both NTV and Monitor will not re-open without my permission.”
The comments attracted significant criticism from journalists, civil society organisations and media freedom advocates who questioned the legal basis for the closure.
Questions over authority
The shutdown generated debate over whether the military possesses legal authority to suspend the operations of private media organisations.
At the time of the closure, neither the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) nor any court had publicly announced regulatory or judicial action against Nation Media Group (NMG).
The absence of a formal explanation intensified concerns about media freedom and the rule of law.
The incident also renewed scrutiny of Gen Muhoozi’s growing influence over political and public affairs, particularly through statements made on social media.
Media industry seeks answers
Following the shutdown, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced that it had engaged government institutions in an effort to understand the circumstances surrounding the operation.
The association said it was consulting the Ministry of ICT, the Uganda Communications Commission and the military leadership to seek clarification and encourage a peaceful resolution.
Meanwhile, UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo confirmed that the regulator had initiated consultations with relevant government stakeholders.
According to Thembo, the commission was working to establish the circumstances that led to the suspension of the broadcaster’s operations.
A history of tension
The latest incident adds to a long history of tensions between the Ugandan government and Nation Media Group’s Uganda operations.
In 2013, security agencies raided the Daily Monitor and Dembe FM following the publication of stories linked to succession politics and the so-called “Muhoozi Project.” The media outlets remained closed for more than a week before resuming operations.
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Over the years, senior government officials have repeatedly criticised the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda over their reporting on governance, politics and public accountability.
The latest shutdown, however, stands out because it was publicly announced by the country’s top military officer before security forces moved to enforce it.
Uncertainty remains
While the announcement by Mwenda suggests that Nation Media Group’s outlets will soon return to normal operations, questions remain unanswered.
Neither Gen Muhoozi nor the security agencies involved have publicly explained the legal grounds for the shutdown.
Likewise, Nation Media Group Uganda had not, by Sunday evening, issued a detailed statement outlining the impact of the operation or conditions attached to the proposed reopening.
Media rights organisations are expected to continue monitoring developments closely, arguing that the incident raises broader questions about press freedom, military influence and constitutional protections for independent journalism in Uganda.
For now, attention has shifted from the shutdown itself to the outcome of the planned discussions between Nation Media Group (NMG) management and representatives linked to Gen Muhoozi’s Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).
