The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has told the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) that discussions are ongoing among government stakeholders to resolve the shutdown of Nation Media Group Uganda (NMG-U) outlets.
In a response to NAB’s request for intervention, UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo said the regulator had taken note of concerns raised over the disruption of operations at NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Dembe FM, KFM, Daily Monitor and The EastAfrican.
The commission said it would provide updates after consultations with relevant government agencies and the affected media house are concluded.
“As communicated in my statement of 30 June 2026, consultations are ongoing among the relevant government stakeholders with a view to resolving issues related to the disruption of broadcasting services at the Nation Media Group outlets,” Nyombi said in a July 2 letter addressed to NAB Chairperson Innocent Nahabwe.
The UCC response follows a June 28 letter by NAB seeking the regulator’s intervention, arguing that the closure appeared to have been carried out outside the established communications regulatory framework.
The broadcasters, who also wrote to the Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba and separately to NMG Uganda at the time, said while it supports enforcement of broadcasting standards, it was concerned that the action against NMG outlets did not appear to have followed procedures provided for under the Uganda Communications Act, 2013.
“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,” Nahabwe wrote.
NAB warned that the continued closure of NMG outlets had affected hundreds of media workers and could damage Uganda’s investment climate and international reputation.
The shutdown followed an overnight security operation on June 28 that blocked access to NMG premises in Namuwongo and at the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre, disrupting television, radio and newspaper production.
The operation forced NTV Uganda and Spark TV off air, while Dembe FM and KFM stopped broadcasting. Publication of the Daily Monitor was also interrupted.
In its response, UCC referred NAB to a statement by ICT and National Guidance Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba, who said the disruption of NMG operations followed a security-led inquiry instituted by President Museveni.
“The disruption of operations at Nation Media Group arose from a security-led inquiry instituted by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda,” the minister said.
The commission said it appreciated NAB’s patience as engagements continue with the affected media organisation and other government stakeholders.
