NTV Uganda has moved its operations to digital platforms after military officers raided its headquarters in Kampala in the early hours of Sunday, June 28, 2026.
In a notice seen by Vantage Ke on June 28, Nation Media Group Uganda (NMG-U) announced that despite the closure of its physical offices, it would continue serving audiences through its online platforms.
The media house, together with its sister stations, assured readers, viewers, and listeners that digital coverage would remain uninterrupted as developments continue.
“The raid, carried out at about 1:00 am on Sunday, June 28, resulted in electricity disconnection and disruption of normal operations across our platforms on radio, TV and newspapers,” stated NMG-U.
“While our offices are closed, we will continue to keep you engaged and informed through our digital platforms.”
The operation was conducted at around 1:00 am when armed security officers stormed the group's headquarters located at Plots 29/35, 8th Street, Industrial Area in Namuwongo, Kampala.
Another NMG facility at the Kampala Serena International Conference Center was also sealed off during the overnight operation.
Power supply to both locations was disconnected, halting television, radio, and newspaper operations.
The raid was ordered by Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, who announced the move through his social media accounts.
Following the operation, NTV Uganda and Spark TV went off air, displaying unavailable screens, while The Daily Monitor newspaper and radio stations 93.3 KFM and 90.4 Dembe FM also ceased broadcasting.
Muhoozi declared that the affected media outlets would remain closed until he personally authorised their reopening, adding that all negative reporting about Uganda would first require clearance from his office.
“In Uganda, I do not believe in a free press. From now on ALL bad stories about Uganda have to be cleared by my office!” declared Gen. Muhoozi.
He further claimed that President Museveni had approved the action, indicating that the operation had backing from the highest level of government.
"I have the power in Uganda to shut down ANY media house I want to. I have had this power since 2017. This power was given to me by my great father President Kaguta Museveni. NTV and Daily Monitor are learning about it today,” stated Gen. Muhoozi.
The raid marks the latest escalation in what observers describe as an increasing crackdown on independent media following Uganda's 10th General Election. During the election period, NTV Uganda journalists had already been denied access to Parliament.
The latest developments also come after a series of restrictions targeting independent media, including the exclusion of NMG journalists from the presidential press gallery and the removal of Kenya's KTN News from local satellite television packages, alongside a ban on the sale of The Standard newspaper in Uganda.
Meanwhile, the East African Press Councils (EAPC) has urged governments and media organisations across the region to immediately ease rising tensions, cautioning that sustained attacks on press freedom pose a serious threat to democracy, the safety of journalists, and the public's right to information.
The call comes in the wake of the shutdown of Nation Media Group's media outlets in Uganda and growing friction between the Kenyan government and the Standard Group, incidents that have intensified concerns about the state of press freedom in East Africa.
In a statement released on Sunday, the EAPC voiced alarm over what it described as increasing intimidation, profiling, and harassment of journalists by state authorities, warning that such actions are fostering fear within newsrooms and pushing media practitioners toward self-censorship.
Uganda is ranked 143rd out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, placing it in the organisation's "very serious" category for press freedom. The ranking reflects persistent concerns over intimidation, censorship, and state interference faced by journalists operating in the country.
