Uganda's media freedom came under renewed scrutiny on Sunday after the country's military reportedly shut down Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda's broadcast and print operations following an order issued by Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The dramatic move saw NTV Uganda, Spark TV, and the Daily Monitor forced off air and their operations disrupted after armed security personnel surrounded the company's premises in Namuwongo, Kampala, as well as the Kampala Serena Hotel.
Muhoozi, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, announced the directive through his official social media account on June 28, declaring that the media houses would cease operations immediately.
"NTV and Monitor are being shut down from today," Gen Muhoozi posted.
The announcement came hours after he had warned that the two media outlets required President Museveni's clearance before they could continue operating.
According to reports from the Daily Monitor, heavily armed security personnel were deployed shortly after midnight, sealing off Nation Media Group's offices and preventing staff from entering or leaving the premises.
The overnight operation effectively crippled the broadcaster's television services, with viewers of NTV Uganda and its sister station Spark TV waking up to blank screens displaying the message "video unavailable."
NTV Uganda later confirmed the disruption, saying its broadcasts had gone dark by around 5 am local time on Sunday.
The station also shared images showing soldiers stationed outside its offices while confirming that its operations had been halted.
Staff members were reportedly confined within the premises as security officers maintained a heavy presence, further disrupting the publication of the Daily Monitor, Uganda's leading independent newspaper.
Nation Media Group, East Africa's largest independent media company headquartered in Kenya, owns several media platforms in Uganda, including NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Daily Monitor, The East African, 93.3 KFM, 90.4 Dembe FM, Ennyanda newspaper and Nation Courier, among other investments.
The shutdown sparked swift condemnation from opposition leader Bobi Wine, who accused Muhoozi of acting with the full backing of his father to silence critical voices.
"Muhoozi, acting with his father's full approval, has moved to silence Uganda's remaining independent voices by shutting down NTV Uganda, Daily Monitor, Dembe FM and Spark TV," Bobi Wine said.
He described the military action as evidence of growing authoritarianism in Uganda.
"This is the harsh reality we now face, a country under open military rule, where fear replaces law and force replaces accountability," he said.
The shutdown follows a series of public declarations by Muhoozi on social media in which he announced a long-term ban on the affected media houses from covering President Museveni.
