They Will Not Re-open Without My Permission’: Gen Muhoozi Takes Credit for NMG Uganda Media Blackout
KAMPALA — In a dramatic escalation of state pressure on independent journalism, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has claimed responsibility for the sudden, late-night shutdown of Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda outlets, asserting he acted with presidential clearance.
NTV Uganda and Spark TV were abruptly forced off air early Sunday morning following an overnight security operation. By 6:00 AM local time, viewers attempting to tune into the stations were met with blank screens displaying a standard “Video unavailable” error. Simultaneously, military forces deployed heavily at the NMG premises in Namuwongo and the Kampala Serena Hotel, effectively laying siege to the editorial hubs of the Daily Monitor newspaper and its sister broadcasting stations.
“Mzee Has Approved My Plan”
Taking to social media shortly after the stations went dark, Gen Muhoozi boldly confirmed that the sweeping media blackout was executed on his direct orders, declaring that the outlets would remain shuttered indefinitely.
“Mzee [President Yoweri Museveni] has approved my plan to close both NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor,” Muhoozi stated. In a stern warning indicating a prolonged standoff, the top military commander added, “They will not re-open without my permission.”
Management at NMG Uganda and the Daily Monitor confirmed that security personnel took control of their facilities just after midnight, halting printing presses and disconnecting transmission feeds.
A Developing Crisis for Press Freedom
The sudden closures have sent shockwaves through Uganda’s media landscape and civil society, sparking immediate widespread condemnation. Media rights activists and legal experts are already questioning the legality of a military-led media shutdown bypassing statutory regulatory bodies like the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
This is not the first time NMG outlets have faced state-sanctioned closures, but the direct involvement of the CDF and his explicit claim of presidential backing marks a tense new chapter for press freedom in the country.
As of Sunday morning, security forces remain deployed at the media house premises, and NMG leadership has yet to issue a formal statement regarding negotiations or legal remedies.
This is a developing story…
