The Ugandan government has formally attributed the dramatic overnight disruption of operations at Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda — which includes leading outlets NTV Uganda, Daily Monitor, Spark TV, KFM, and Dembe FM — to a Security-Led Inquiry directly instituted by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
In an official press statement released today by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Minister Rt. Hon. Justine Lumumba Kasule confirmed that events on the night of June 28, 2026, stemmed from this high-level inquiry involving the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), the Criminal Investigations Directorate of the Uganda Police Force, and other security agencies and experts.
“The events of 28th June 2026 that led to the disruption of operations at Nation Media Group were occasioned by a Security-Led Inquiry, instituted by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda,” the statement reads.
The ministry added that the government will update the public once the inquiry concludes.
The clarification comes two days after armed security personnel raided NMG Uganda’s headquarters in Namuwongo, Kampala, and broadcast facilities at the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 28.
Electricity was disconnected, forcing major outlets off air and halting newspaper production. Staff reported restricted access, with armed personnel maintaining a visible presence at the premises throughout the day.
Nation Media Group, East Africa’s largest independent media conglomerate, had earlier described the incident as an “overnight raid by the military” that rendered its physical premises inaccessible. The company shifted to digital platforms to continue delivering news while operations were disrupted.
The action followed public statements by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who announced on social media that NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor were being shut down and would not reopen without his permission. Gen. Muhoozi, President Museveni’s son, had cited concerns over media coverage.
This is not the first time NMG Uganda has faced security action.
In 2013, security forces raided the Daily Monitor over a story linked to military succession issues. The current events have sparked widespread concern among press freedom advocates, opposition figures, and international observers, who view it as a significant escalation in tensions between the government and independent media.
Critics, including opposition leader Bobi Wine, have described the move as part of a broader pattern of restricting critical reporting. Media watchdogs have called for the immediate lifting of the siege and protection of journalists.
The government’s latest statement reframes the military involvement as a structured, presidentially mandated inquiry rather than an arbitrary shutdown, aiming to address what authorities describe as security-related concerns at the media house.
As the inquiry proceeds, questions remain about its scope, timeline, and potential impact on Uganda’s media landscape.
NMG Uganda has continued limited operations online, while audiences await further updates from both the company and the government.