Amnesty International has called on the Ugandan government to immediately end the harassment of activists and allow the media to operate freely. The demand follows an order by Uganda's army chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to shut down the independent media company Nation Media Group (NMG).
Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, is known for threatening government critics, particularly opposition leaders. On June 28, soldiers surrounded NMG's editorial and broadcasting facilities, halting operations at NTV and Spark TV. Newspapers "Daily Monitor" and "The East African," as well as radio stations, were also affected.
Susan Nsibirwa, managing director for NMG in Uganda, told Reuters that negotiations for reopening are ongoing at different levels. Kainerugaba wrote on X that he does not believe in a free press and that the press should be guided by cadres of the revolution. He confirmed the orders were approved by his 81-year-old father, who has ruled Uganda for 40 years.
U.S. Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged Washington to review its security relationship with Uganda, calling Kainerugaba's attacks on free speech making him and the Ugandan military "unfit partners." Amnesty's East and Southern Africa director, Tigere Chagutah, condemned the "unchecked and unjust campaign of harassment and intimidation" against independent media and civil society.
A source at an international foundation in Uganda told DW that a transfer of power to the president's son is underway, with Kainerugaba expanding his influence since taking over the military in 2024. The source said Kainerugaba had threatened to shut down the outlet weeks earlier due to critical coverage of his influence on national institutions, particularly parliament.
George William Nyombi Thembo, director of the Uganda Communications Commission, said he is in contact with relevant authorities to understand the situation. Opposition parties criticize the government's repressive policies. Human rights lawyer Cathy Anite warned that the arbitrary closure will have a chilling effect on media freedom and stifle accountability and the rule of law.
Journalist Cathy Luzige of NBS TV told DW that journalists are afraid to express opinions and work freely, calling it a severe blow to the profession.
Source: www.dw.com