\n<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The outlets are part of the Nation Media Group, one of the most influential media companies in East Africa.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
Opposition and human rights groups accuse Gen Kainerugaba of being a central figure in a highly repressive regime led by his father.<\/p>\n
Supporters of the president and his family say they have guaranteed stability in Uganda, and the economy has improved under their rule.<\/p>\n
President Museveni, 81, is a former rebel leader who took power about 40 years ago.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Gen Kainerugaba said on X that his “great father” had given him the “power to shut down any media house I want to”.<\/p>\n
He said that both NTV and Daily Monitor would “not re-open without my permission”.<\/p>\n
“From now on ALL media in Uganda will follow the rules!” the general added.<\/p>\n
The Daily Monitor said on X that the newspaper and its fellow outlets were ordered to close “in a crackdown during the wee hours of Sunday”.<\/p>\n