The Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has held a high-level meeting with the owners and leadership of Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda as efforts intensify to resolve the closure of the company's television, radio and newspaper operations.
The meeting, held at the Special Forces Command headquarters in Entebbe, brought together Nation Media Group owner Rostam Aziz, his son Saam Aziz, and Georgia Mutagaywa, Chief of Staff of Taarifa Limited, the parent company of NMG Uganda.
Also present were veteran journalist and Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) leader Andrew Mwenda and Acting UPDF Director of Defence Public Information Col. Chris Magezi.
The engagement follows the shutdown of Nation Media Group Uganda's operations after Gen. Muhoozi ordered security agencies to close the media house, accusing it of conducting what he described as a sustained campaign of blackmail against the government and promoting opposition and foreign interests.
According to information shared after the meeting, the discussions reviewed specific reports that the government considers biased and malicious.
The parties also discussed the future editorial direction of the media house.
According to the discussions, the owners of Nation Media Group committed to adopting what was described as a more patriotic, balanced and objective approach to journalism.
The meeting is part of ongoing engagements aimed at resolving the standoff between the government and one of Uganda's largest independent media organisations.
"I will present a formal report on our discussions to H.E. the President for his consideration before a final decision is made on reopening the premises," Gen. Muhoozi said.
Nation Media Group's operations were suspended after security personnel deployed shortly after midnight at the company's Namuwongo headquarters and the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre, where some of its operations are based.
According to Daily Monitor, staff were prevented from entering or leaving the premises during the operation.
The shutdown affected NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Dembe FM, KFM, the Daily Monitor and other affiliated Nation Media Group outlets beginning June 28.
NTV Uganda and Spark TV were taken off air at about 5:00 a.m., with viewers seeing blank screens displaying the message, "Video unavailable."
Dembe FM and KFM also ceased broadcasting, while publication of the Daily Monitor newspaper was halted.
The deployment followed a series of posts by Gen. Muhoozi on X announcing that NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor would be shut down.
The closure has attracted widespread concern from media organisations and press freedom advocates.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) said it had initiated engagements with government authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the shutdown and seek an amicable resolution.
The association said it was monitoring developments affecting NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Dembe FM, KFM, the Daily Monitor and The EastAfrican.
NAB also cited Gen. Muhoozi's public statements indicating that the affected media outlets would not resume operations without his approval.
"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," the association said.
NAB said it had formally written to the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Chief of Defence Forces seeking clarification on the closure.
The association said it would continue engaging the relevant authorities and issue a comprehensive statement after establishing the facts.
The Uganda Communications Commission also confirmed that it had begun consultations with relevant government agencies to obtain verified information regarding the shutdown and urged the public to remain calm as the process continues.
ICT and National Guidance Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba has previously said the shutdown was part of a "security-led inquiry" ordered by President Yoweri Museveni.
The closure marks the latest confrontation between the Ugandan state and Nation Media Group, which has previously faced government restrictions over its editorial coverage, including the temporary closure of NTV Uganda in 2007 and police raids on the Daily Monitor and affiliated outlets in 2013.
