KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s military chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, ordered the closure of several media outlets on Sunday, including the Daily Monitor newspaper and broadcaster NTV, in a move that further consolidates his authority following President Yoweri Museveni’s inauguration for a seventh consecutive term.
Soldiers were deployed outside the Daily Monitor’s offices in Kampala early Sunday, according to the Associated Press. The newspaper and NTV are part of Nation Media Group, a regional media company headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
Kainerugaba announced the directive through posts on X, where he asserted broad authority over Uganda’s media landscape.
“I have the power in Uganda to shut down ANY media house I want to,” he wrote, adding that the authority had been granted to him by his father and declaring that “ALL media in Uganda will follow the rules.”
Multiple Media Outlets Affected
The National Association of Broadcasters said at least six publishing and broadcasting outlets operated by Nation Media Group had been shut down.
In a statement, the association expressed concern over the action and its implications for Uganda’s media environment, saying it was “deeply concerned about this action and its impact on the media ecosystem.”
Authorities did not immediately provide further details on the legal basis for the closures or indicate how long the affected outlets would remain closed.
Military Influence Grows
Kainerugaba has served as Uganda’s top military commander since 2024 and is widely regarded as the country’s de facto ruler, according to the supplied source material.
His influence has expanded in recent days following President Museveni’s latest inauguration, with Kainerugaba issuing a series of directives typically associated with executive authority.
The army chief has repeatedly stated that he expects to succeed his father as president. Museveni, who has led Uganda since 1986, has not announced plans to retire and currently faces no significant challengers within the ruling party.
Political Tensions Continue
The media closures follow other recent actions linked to Kainerugaba.
Earlier this month, attorney Erias Lukwago was taken from his home and later charged with an offense related to the concealment of treason after seeking to hold Kainerugaba accountable for his alleged role in the detention of opposition figure Kizza Besigye.
Besigye was seized in Nairobi in 2024 and has remained imprisoned on treason charges that he says are politically motivated.
Profile of Uganda’s Military Chief
Supporters describe Kainerugaba as a career military officer who opposes corruption and would pursue strict accountability if he were to become president.
He received military training in the United States and the United Kingdom before leading the presidential guard, which later expanded into an elite special forces unit.
In addition to his military responsibilities, Kainerugaba founded the Patriotic League of Uganda, a political activist organization whose supporters include senior government officials, ministers, and the country’s parliamentary speaker.
The latest action against media organizations is likely to intensify scrutiny of press freedom and the concentration of political and military authority in Uganda as questions over the country’s future leadership continue.
Tags: Uganda, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Yoweri Museveni, Press Freedom, Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda, Nation Media Group, Media, Military, Kampala, Kizza Besigye, Africa Politics
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