Ugandan Military Chief Orders Shutdown of Independent Media Amid Crackdown

Uganda's military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered the closure of the country's largest independent media outlets as part of an ongoing government crackdown. The directive, issued on June 28, 2026, has led to the shutdown of major broadcasters including NTV and Spark TV, both owned by the influential Nation Media Group. Armed soldiers were deployed outside the Daily Monitor headquarters in Kampala, signaling a tightening grip on press freedom.

In a series of posts on social media platform X, Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, declared his opposition to free media and asserted his authority to close any media outlet at will. He described the closures as just the beginning of further arrests and restrictions, emphasizing that the media should be controlled by the ruling regime. He referred to his father as "the great father" who granted him this power.

Opposition figures and human rights organizations have condemned Kainerugaba's actions, accusing him of being a key figure in the authoritarian regime that has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades. President Museveni recently secured an unprecedented seventh term amid controversial elections, with widespread speculation that Muhoozi is being groomed as his successor.

Kainerugaba has also made several unusual statements expressing strong support for Israel, citing historical ties and shared Christian faith. He offered Uganda's assistance to Israel in the Middle East conflict and suggested that Uganda's military could participate in regional combat operations alongside Israel if necessary. These remarks come amid heightened tensions and ongoing conflict in the region.

While initially stating the media closures were permanent, Kainerugaba later indicated ongoing discussions with allies in Britain and Europe about potentially reopening two outlets. The crackdown marks a significant escalation in Uganda's suppression of independent journalism and political dissent.