Sunday, June 28, 2026 {HMC} The Ugandan army chief, son of President Yoweri Museveni, has reportedly ordered the closure of TV stations, newspapers and radio stations affiliated with the Daily Monitor.
The Kenyan-based Daily Monitor newspaper said armed forces were stationed outside its headquarters in the capital Kampala, and that NTV and Spark TV stations had been taken off the air.
The media outlet is part of the state-owned media group, one of the most influential in East Africa.
It is unclear what exactly led to the crackdown, but a statement by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba said: “I do not believe in a free press! The press should be guided by the revolutionary cadre.”
The opposition and human rights groups accuse Gen Kainerugaba of being at the heart of his father’s repressive regime.
Supporters of the president and his family say they have ensured Uganda’s stability and economic prosperity under their rule. President Museveni, 81, has been in power for 40 years.
He won a seventh term in a disputed election in January, with widespread speculation that he is preparing his son to take over one day.
Gen Kainerugaba also said in his blog “X” that his father had given him the power to “close any media outlet”.
He said that both NTV and the Daily Monitor would not reopen without permission.
“From now on, all Ugandan media outlets will follow the law!” the general added.
The Daily Monitor did not say why they were closed but reported on its website that staff were denied access to the television stations.
