President Museveni authorised the deployment of security personnel at Nation Media Group Uganda premises over the weekend, an operation that led to the closure of The Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda as part of an ongoing security investigation into the company’s operations, the Minister for ICT and National Guidance Justine Kasule Lumumba has confirmed.
Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre on Tuesday, Lumumba said the action was not arbitrary but stemmed from a presidential directive that set in motion a coordinated inquiry involving the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and other security agencies.
She said the deployment and subsequent closure of the media houses form part of a wider investigative process whose findings will be made public once concluded.
“It involves UPDF, CID and other security agencies. After the inquiry, the country will be informed on the findings. It may guide on how to go forward,” Lumumba said.
The security siege has led to global condemnation and calls on the government to unconditionally open Monitor and NTV amid growing concern of deteroriating state of media freedom and democracy in the country.
But Lumumba defended the action, saying the government’s position balances media freedom with national security considerations, arguing that security concerns take precedence in such circumstances.
“Uganda promotes media freedom but security supercedes this. NMG and government have always done business. And this too will pass,” she said.
The closure has triggered political and legal debate, with different actors weighing in on the authority and implications of the move.
Former government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, now Member of Parliament for older persons in Eastern Uganda, questioned claims circulating on social media suggesting parallel political structures were responsible for reopening decisions.
Responding to a post by Andrew Mwenda, a journalist affiliated with Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), on X alleging that leaders of the Muhoozi-led loose grouping had agreed to reopen the media houses, Opondo asked whether it was PLU or the government that executed the closure, warning against confusion over constitutional authority.
“Or maybe let us know if the NRM government that Ugandans elected on 15th January 2026 is no more, and we just settle down,” Opondo said.
Kassambya County MP Daudi Kabanda, who had been active on social media commenting on the matter and issuing directives on media-related governance and management, responded by stating, “It is no more.”
In another world, Kabanda's comments would be construed as treasonous. No surprises that the legislator quickly deleted it. But Lumumba dismissed the remark, describing it as political grandstanding.
“I think he is being just ambitious,” added the minister, who also speaks for the government.
The government has not yet provided a timeline for the completion of the security investigation or the possible resumption of full operations at NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor.
