The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has formally asked the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to intervene in the closure of Nation Media Group Uganda (NMG-U) media outlets, saying the shutdown appears to have been carried out outside the country's established communications regulatory framework.
In a June 28, 2026 letter addressed to UCC Executive Director, NAB requested an urgent meeting to discuss the closure of NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Dembe FM, KFM, The EastAfrican and the Daily Monitor.
The association also proposed a broader engagement involving the Minister of ICT and National Guidance and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba in an effort to resolve the impasse.
"As the regulator of the communications sector, your commission is mandated under Section 5 of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013 to license, regulate, and facilitate the provision of communication services," NAB Chairman Innocent Nahabwe wrote.
"We note that the commission has previously taken regulatory action against broadcasters for non-compliance, and we fully support the enforcement of these standards."
However, Nahabwe said the association was concerned that the current closure did not appear to have followed the procedures provided for under the law.
"We are concerned that the current closure appears to have been effected outside the established regulatory framework. As an association committed to a lawful and orderly media environment, we respectfully request your intervention to clarify the basis of this action and to explore avenues for an amicable resolution through the proper regulatory channels," the letter states.
NAB also warned that the continued closure of the media outlets could have wider economic and reputational consequences.
The association said hundreds of media workers' livelihoods had been affected and cautioned that the shutdown could undermine investor confidence and Uganda's international reputation, with potential implications for sectors such as tourism.
"We respectfully request a meeting with you at your earliest convenience to discuss this matter and, if possible, with the Minister of ICT & National Guidance and with the Chief of Defence Forces. We remain committed to working with the commission to ensure that all our members operate in full compliance with the law," Nahabwe added.
The appeal follows an overnight military operation that rendered Nation Media Group Uganda's premises in Namuwongo and at the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre inaccessible.
According to a statement issued by NMG-U on June 28, security personnel deployed shortly after 1:00 a.m., preventing staff from accessing the premises while electricity was disconnected.
The operation disrupted television, radio and newspaper production, forcing NTV Uganda and Spark TV off air. Dembe FM and KFM also stopped broadcasting, while publication of the Daily Monitor newspaper was interrupted.
The shutdown followed public statements by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba indicating that the affected media outlets would be closed. The Chief of Defence Forces later publicly took responsibility for the action.
NAB has also written separately to Gen Muhoozi seeking a meeting to discuss the closure from a security perspective and to identify measures that would allow Nation Media Group Uganda to resume operations while addressing national security concerns.
In an earlier statement, the association said it was deeply concerned about the impact of the shutdown on Uganda's media landscape and the constitutional rights of both media organisations and the public.
"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)," the association said.
NAB said it would continue engaging UCC, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the Chief of Defence Forces and other relevant stakeholders in pursuit of an amicable resolution.
The closure marks the latest confrontation involving Nation Media Group Uganda and the State.
NTV Uganda was temporarily taken off air in February 2007, just months after its launch. In May 2013, police raided the Daily Monitor, Dembe FM and Red Pepper following publication of a letter alleging the existence of the so-called "Muhoozi Project."
Over the years, the Daily Monitor has also reported restrictions on access to official government events, while President Yoweri Museveni has publicly criticised the newspaper's editorial coverage on several occasions.
NAB said it remains committed to ensuring that broadcasters comply with Uganda's communications laws while advocating for disputes to be resolved through established legal and regulatory processes.
