Politics 27 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Gen. Muhoozi Orders Shutdown of NTV Uganda, Spark TV; Daily Monitor Also Targeted
Security forces have taken NTV Uganda and Spark TV off the air following an order by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The Daily Monitor has also been targeted in the overnight crackdown. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/ntv-uganda-spark-tv-forced-off-air-as-daily-monitor-shutdown-on-gen-muhoozi-order-5511464
Nation Media Group’s broadcast channels, NTV Uganda and Spark TV, were abruptly taken off air early Sunday morning after security operatives surrounded their premises. Viewers attempting to tune in were met with “video unavailable” messages.
The shutdown order reportedly came from Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who expressed his views on press freedom via social media in the early hours of Sunday. He posted, “NTV and Monitor are being shut down from today!” and later added, “Both NTV and Monitor will not re-open without my permission.”
Gen. Muhoozi also stated his belief that “In Uganda, I DO NOT believe in a free press! The press should be guided by cadres of the revolution.” These statements follow a week of escalating threats made by the first son against the media house.
The security operation commenced shortly after midnight at the Nation Media Group Uganda offices in Namuwongo and the Kampala Serena Hotel. Staff reported being prevented from entering or leaving the premises. While NTV Uganda and Spark TV went off air around 5:00 AM, uncertainty also surrounded the operational status of other NMG Uganda platforms, including the Daily Monitor newspaper.
This is not the first time Nation Media Group’s operations in Uganda have faced state intervention. In May 2013, the Daily Monitor and Dembe FM were raided and sealed for over a week following the publication of a letter concerning a succession plan. NTV Uganda itself was previously forced off air in February 2007 shortly after its launch.
As of the time of this report, neither the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, the Uganda Police Force, nor the Uganda Communications Commission had issued an official statement regarding the operation or any legal basis for the shutdown. The duration of the blackout remains unclear.