Uganda Army Shuts Down NTV and Daily Monitor Offices in Kampala

Ugandan military forces have raided and sealed off the offices of NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor newspaper in Kampala, effectively silencing two of the nation's most prominent independent media voices. The action follows the outlets' reporting on a purported letter by General David Sejusa, detailing an alleged plot to assassinate officials opposed to President Yoweri Museveni's son, Brigadier Muhoozi Kainerugaba, succeeding his father.

Military Occupation and Censorship

Soldiers and police officers surrounded the premises in the early hours, preventing staff from entering and broadcasting. NTV’s live transmission was abruptly cut, and the Daily Monitor’s print run was halted. A senior police official asserted the operations were linked to the Sejusa letter, which the government deems seditious. General Sejusa, the coordinator of intelligence services, has publicly acknowledged writing the letter and called for an investigation into its contents, despite government denials of any assassination plot.

This aggressive clampdown on media freedom is not an isolated incident in Uganda, where critical reporting frequently invites state retribution. The government maintains a tight grip on information, particularly concerning matters of political succession and military affairs. Such actions underscore the regime's consistent efforts to control public discourse, especially when narratives diverge from official pronouncements or challenge the entrenched power structures that sustain President Museveni’s lengthy rule.