In a statement dated June 29, 2026, Agora said armed military personnel acting on directives attributed to President Museveni's son and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, raided and cordoned off Nation Media Group premises in Namuwongo and the Kampala Serena Hotel studios, forcing multiple media outlets off air and halting print distribution.
The organisation stated that the operation resulted in NTV Uganda, Daily Monitor, Spark TV Uganda, KFM and Dembe FM being taken off air, while print operations were suspended and the Managing Director of NMG Uganda, Susan Nsibirwa, was reportedly targeted for arrest.
Agora warned that the intervention "bypassed statutory regulatory bodies like the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)" and amounted to a violation of constitutional guarantees on press freedom and access to information.
The statement added that such actions "signal a structural breakdown of the rule of law" when military directives replace established civil regulatory frameworks.
According to the Centre, the deployment and shutdown reflect a broader pattern of pressure on independent institutions. It said the simultaneous targeting of media and civil society actors "represents a coordinated strategy to eliminate independent public oversight, legal accountability, and public discourse."
"We stand in solidarity with journalists, affected media houses, civil society, and the people of Uganda."
The statement also urged that "all responsible actors exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law," emphasising the need to safeguard civic space and democratic accountability.
According to information published by the Daily Monitor, security operatives deployed shortly after midnight at Nation Media Group's Namuwongo headquarters and at the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre, with staff reportedly prevented from entering or leaving the premises as the operation unfolded.
NTV Uganda and Spark TV Uganda were forced off air at around 5:00 a.m., with viewers reportedly encountering blank screens displaying the message, "video unavailable."
Dembe FM and KFM, which broadcast from the Namuwongo premises, were also taken off air, while publication of the Daily Monitor was halted.
The deployment followed a series of posts on X by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba announcing that NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor would be shut down.
The incident marks the latest confrontation between the State and one of Uganda's largest independent media organisations.
Barely two months after NTV Uganda launched in December 2006, the broadcaster was shut down in February 2007 after the government accused it of negative news coverage.
In May 2013, police raided the offices of the Daily Monitor and Dembe FM, as well as those of Red Pepper in Namanve, following the publication of a letter allegedly linking senior government officials to the so-called "Muhoozi Project."
Over the years, President Yoweri Museveni has repeatedly criticised the Daily Monitor over its editorial coverage, at one point describing it as an "enemy and evil newspaper." The media house has also faced restrictions on access to some official events, including limitations on covering presidential activities and parliamentary proceedings.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) expressed concern over the suspension of Nation Media Group Uganda's television, radio and newspaper operations, saying it is engaging government authorities to seek clarity and an amicable resolution.
NAB said it was closely monitoring the unfolding situation involving its member outlets—NTV Uganda, Spark TV Uganda, Dembe FM, KFM, the Daily Monitor and The EastAfrican—following the suspension of their operations.
The broadcasters' umbrella body also cited statements posted on the X account affiliated with Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba indicating that the affected media outlets would not resume operations without his permission.
"We are deeply concerned about this action and its impact on the media ecosystem, and the rights enshrined under the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (as amended)," NAB said.
According to the association, it has formally reached out to the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the Uganda Communications Commission and the Chief of Defence Forces to establish the circumstances surrounding the shutdown and pursue an amicable resolution.
"We assure our members and the public that we are following up on all fronts and will issue a more detailed statement once verified facts emerge," NAB said.
The association pledged to continue engaging the relevant authorities and said it would issue a more comprehensive statement once all the facts surrounding the shutdown had been verified.
The Uganda Communications Commission said it had commenced consultations with relevant government stakeholders to obtain verified information and urged the public to remain calm as the process continues.
The regulator added that it is monitoring the situation and will communicate further updates through its official channels as appropriate.
As of Sunday night, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba stated that he was holding discussions with allies in the United Kingdom and Europe about reopening both NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor, adding that he would take the results of these discussions to President Yoweri Museveni for final approval.
Andrew Mwenda, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Director of Communications, stated that he would also hold discussions with the management of both sister companies on a date yet to be confirmed.
The Agora Centre for Research said it stands in solidarity with journalists, affected media houses, civil society actors and the people of Uganda, calling on all responsible actors to exercise restraint, uphold the rule of law and ensure full respect for constitutional rights so that Ugandans can live freely and with dignity.