Uganda Media Under Military Siege After Army Chief Orders Crackdown

Uganda's leading independent media group says it is under "military siege" after the army chief - who is the son of President Yoweri Museveni - ordered the closure of TV stations, newspapers and radio outlets. The Daily Monitor newspaper said that armed soldiers were stationed outside its headquarters in the capital Kampala and both NTV and Spark TV had been taken off air. The outlets are part of the Nation Media Group, one of the most influential media companies in East Africa. It is unclear what exactly led to the crackdown, but in posts on X, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba said: "I DO NOT believe in a free press! The press should be guided by cadres of the revolution." Opposition and human rights groups accuse Gen Kainerugaba of being a central figure in a highly repressive regime led by his father. Supporters of the president and his family say they have guaranteed stability in Uganda, and the economy has improved under their rule. President Museveni, 81, is a former rebel leader who took power about 40 years ago. He won a record seventh term in disputed elections in January, with widespread speculation that he is grooming his son to succeed him one day. Gen Kainerugaba said on X that his "great father" had given him the "power to shut down any media house I want to". He said that both NTV and Daily Monitor would "not re-open without my permission". "From now on ALL media in Uganda will follow the rules!" the general added.