Some of the most influential private media organisations in Uganda have been forced off air.

The development has deepened concerns about press freedom in the East African country.

Chief of Defence Staff, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, ordered closure of the stations while openly declaring his opposition to an independent press.

Broadcast operations at NTV Uganda and Spark TV were disrupted while the Daily Monitor also came under the action that unfolded at the headquarters of Nation Media Group in Kampala.

Employees reported that security personnel took control of access to the premises during the early hours of Sunday.

They also restricted movement and prevented normal operations.

Authorities did not immediately announce any legal basis for the intervention.

Daily Trust reports that the development followed days of public threats by Kainerugaba, who had repeatedly criticised the affected organisations and warned that action would be taken against them.

Kainerugaba has insisted that the affected organisations would remain shut until he authorised their return.

“Both NTV and Monitor will not re-open without my permission,” he said.

The military chief also asserted that he possessed powers to close media organisations in the country, claiming that such authority had been granted to him years ago.

“I have the power in Uganda to shut down ANY media house I want to,” he wrote.

He went further to dismiss the principle of media independence, saying he does not believe in a free press.

He argued that journalists should operate under the guidance of what he described as “cadres of the revolution.”

Kainerugaba additionally warned that the measures against the outlets represented only the beginning of a broader crackdown.

“The closure of NTV and Monitor is just the beginning. We are going to arrest many more,” he said.

The affected media organisations had already faced increasing restrictions in recent months, including limitations on access to official events involving President Museveni.

The latest action places renewed attention on Uganda’s political climate.

There have been concerns over civil liberties and freedom of expression that have continued to surface amid the country’s changing power dynamics.

Museveni, 81, has governed Uganda since taking power in 1986 and remains one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

He secured another term in office after a disputed election.

Kainerugaba has increasingly emerged as a dominant political figure and a potential successor to his father.

The shutdown of the media organisations is expected to draw scrutiny from press freedom advocates and rights groups.

This is just as Uganda moves toward another electoral season amid growing debates over political succession and democratic freedoms.(Daily Trust)

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