Ugandan army chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered the closure of Daily Monitor offices and warned all media to follow the rules. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Soldiers were deployed outside the Kampala offices of the Daily Monitor newspaper early Sunday. The paper is part of the Nation Media Group based in Nairobi. The army chief said his closure directive also targeted local broadcaster NTV.
Kainerugaba wrote on X: "I have the power in Uganda to shut down ANY media house I want to. This power was given to me by my great father. From now on ALL media in Uganda will follow the rules!"
The National Association of Broadcasters said at least six outlets under Nation Media Group were closed. The association expressed deep concern over the action.
Kainerugaba, the eldest son of President Yoweri Museveni, has served as top military commander since 2024. He asserts he will succeed his father. Museveni, 81, has ruled since 1986 and has not set a retirement date.
Earlier, Kainerugaba retaliated against attorney Erias Lukwago, who sought to hold him accountable for alleged rights violations of opposition leader Kizza Besigye. Lukwago was taken from his house and charged with concealment of treason.
Kainerugaba attended military schools in the U.S. and Britain. He is also founder of the Patriotic League of Uganda.