A wave of concern has swept through Uganda’s media sector after the sudden suspension of operations affecting several major outlets under Nation Media Group Uganda, prompting the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to demand immediate clarification from authorities over what it describes as a deeply troubling development.
The affected stations, including NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Dembe FM, KFM, as well as the Daily Monitor and The EastAfrican, reportedly went off air or halted production following a coordinated security deployment at their premises.
Reports indicate that security forces entered the media houses in the early hours of the morning, restricting movement of staff and effectively bringing broadcasting and publication activities to a standstill, with viewers and listeners later reporting blank screens and interrupted transmissions across platforms.
In response, NAB said it has officially engaged the Uganda Communications Commission, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, and relevant security authorities, including the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, seeking urgent explanation and a path toward resolution.
The situation has been further inflamed by social media posts attributed to Muhoozi Kainerugaba, which suggested that the affected media houses would remain closed until receiving approval to resume operations, intensifying national debate over press freedom and state power.
Observers have drawn parallels with the 2013 shutdown of Daily Monitor and allied outlets, an incident that also involved security intervention and led to widespread condemnation from press freedom advocates and heightened scrutiny of government-media relations in Uganda.
NAB emphasized that it is closely monitoring developments and working to ensure constructive engagement between all parties, stressing that any action affecting media operations must comply with constitutional protections guaranteeing freedom of expression and access to information.
The association added that it will issue a comprehensive update once consultations are completed and verified information is obtained, as pressure continues to mount on authorities to account for the abrupt disruption of one of Uganda’s most influential media networks.
