‘I don’t believe in press freedom’: Uganda’s military chief orders media to shut down major outlets
Muhoozi Kenerugaba, Uganda’s military chief and son of the president, ordered the closure of two major media outlets on Sunday, declaring that he “does not believe in a free press” and saying journalists should be guided by government loyalists.Kenerugaba said the Daily Observer, Uganda’s largest independent daily, and NTV Uganda, one of the country’s largest private broadcasters, “will not reopen without my permission”. The closure also affects KFM and Dembe FM, both part of Nation Media Group.“I don’t believe in press freedom in Uganda! The media should be guided by revolutionary cadres,” Kainerugaba wrote in a series of posts on X. He did not provide a specific reason for the closure.The Daily Monitor reported on Sunday that military personnel had been deployed at the state media group’s offices in the capital, Kampala, but staff were prohibited from entering or exiting. As of Sunday morning, NTV Uganda and other NMG television and radio stations in the country were off the air.Touted as a possible successor to his aging father, President Yoweri Museveni, Kenerugaba is known for controversial comments on social media, including threats to behead opposition leader Bobi Wine. In 2013, the government shut down the Daily Monitor for 10 days over reports about Museveni’s successor.Government spokesman Alan Kasujja and NMG Uganda managing director Susan Nsibirwa did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986 and has never commented publicly on who will follow him, even as his son’s influence on security affairs has grown significantly.Wine, who remains in hiding following the disputed January election, has previously accused Kainerugaba of plotting a crackdown on his supporters. Kainerugaba dismissed such claims, saying some of his social media posts were ironic.
