Political situation in Uganda

Soldiers block editorial offices in Uganda

Armed soldiers surrounded the editorial offices of Sparks TV and NTV Uganda early Sunday morning, reports The Daily Monitor, which is part of the same group.

Employees were reportedly not allowed to enter or leave the buildings. Four hours after the blockade began, the channels' broadcasts also stopped abruptly and were replaced with the message "video not available".

According to The Daily Monitor, no legal justification or explanation for the siege has been presented. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced during the night on X that he plans to close the channels as well as The Daily Monitor. As of Sunday lunchtime, the newspaper's website is still operational.

Uganda shuts down newspapers and television: "Does not believe in free press"

Uganda's commander-in-chief has ordered the closure of several of the country's largest news media outlets, reports Reuters.

“I do not believe in a free press. The press should be guided by the cadre of the revolution,” writes General Muhoozi Kainerugaba on X. The ban targets several channels and a newspaper owned by the country’s largest media group, NMG.

On Sunday morning, broadcasts from the television channels NTV Uganda and NMG TV ceased. The newspaper The Daily Monitor, which was also singled out by Kainerugaba, appears to still be able to report as before.

Opposition leader: Dictatorships always fall in the end

After the president’s son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, shut down several media outlets in Uganda on Sunday, the country is effectively under military rule. This is what opposition leader Bobi Wine writes on X.

He believes that the situation in the country is difficult right now, but that time for President Yoweri Museveni’s rule is running out.

“Dictators always escalate repression before they fall, they push every button in sheer desperation, until one day they push a button they never thought would be their last.”