Uganda Military Chief Shuts Down Two Media Outlets

Uganda's military chief of staff, Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, ordered the immediate shutdown of the Daily Monitor newspaper and its affiliated radio station, KFM, on November 14, 2023. This action followed the publication of a report by the Daily Monitor detailing land disputes involving individuals connected to the ruling National Resistance Movement party. Military personnel were deployed to the offices of the media outlets to enforce the closure.

President Yoweri Museveni's son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who also holds a senior military position, stated that he did not believe in a free press, suggesting a potential link between his personal views and the government's actions. The closure has drawn criticism from press freedom advocates and international organizations, who view it as a suppression of journalistic independence and a violation of freedom of expression. The Daily Monitor has been a prominent voice in Ugandan media, known for its investigative reporting and critical coverage of government policies.

The specific report that triggered the shutdown focused on allegations of land grabbing and dispossession in the Masaka region. The Daily Monitor had published interviews and evidence suggesting that influential figures were exploiting land laws to acquire property from vulnerable citizens. The government has not yet provided a detailed official justification for the closure beyond Kainerugaba's statement regarding the press.

This incident marks a significant escalation in the government's approach to media control in Uganda. Previous instances of pressure on media houses have included arrests of journalists and temporary suspensions of broadcasting licenses. The permanent closure of a major newspaper and radio station like the Daily Monitor and KFM raises serious concerns about the future of independent journalism in the country and the government's commitment to democratic principles.