KAMPALA, Uganda—Uganda’s First Son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, is on his way to regulating the country’s media content if his recent online remarks are any indication.
On Sunday, February 23, 2025, Muhoozi, President Yoweri Museveni’s military son, announced on his official X account that his office would soon begin to audit all media houses.
Muhoozi who doesn’t shy away from controversy especially on social media doubles up as Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (UPDF) and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations (SPA/SO).
“My office will soon begin an Audit on all media houses. These are the instructions of the Commander-in-Chief. All of you will report to my office from now!” Muhoozi posted.
Why Muhoozi’s office is organising a media cadre course
He further invited all media managing directors to his office for more instructions.
“The meeting will be on Thursday, February 27, 2025. You are all encouraged to attend,” Muhoozi said.
According to Muhoozi, his office is organising a cadre course for all the managing directors of the country’s media houses saying that “it will be a good one.”
“My office will not license any MD and probably his/her deputy who does not attend the cadre course,” warned the general.
My office will soon begin an Audit on ALL media houses. These are the instructions of the Commander-in-Chief. All of you will report to my office from now!
Against this backdrop, Y News reached out to Muhoozi’s close ally, Freddy Kamukama on whether the First Son was out to silence the media.
What is ailing the Ugandan media sector
According to Kamukama, Muhoozi’s move stems from the fact that Uganda lacks professionals in the media sector unlike its East African counterparts.
“You find that someone just wakes up in the morning and brands themselves as media practitioners without proper training. All they want is to make quick money through online comments and likes,” lamented Kamukama.
The Ugandan government has signed a deal with America’s Hollywood Film-Makers Ryder Media and the Private Office of Chief Nana Dakrabo I, to promote Uganda’s image through films.
Kamukama who doubles up as a member of Muhoozi’s Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) party observed that some individuals were misusing the press freedom in the country to soil its reputation.
“These are the same people who end up tarnishing our country’s image because they are not professionals. Through this cadre course that might take two weeks, media practitioners will be taught how to love their country and be patriotic,” added Kamukama.
How the Ugandan media sector can redeem itself
Kamukama also indicated that a country cannot prosper if the media portrays its image in a negative way.
“As a country, we don’t want to get to a point where we are going to chase our investors because that will be a big blow to our thriving economy,” he stated.
He reiterated that there is a need for the media to highlight the government’s programs that continue to empower millions of Ugandans.
“President Museveni rolled the Parish Development Model (PDM) which is a Ugandan government strategy to improve households’ incomes and welfare. The media needs to go out and show the world how this initiative is empowering our people,” Kamukama further.
Meanwhile, Muhoozi has delegated the issue of overseeing the regulations in the Ugandan media sector to Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs who doubles up as the Vice Chairman PLU Western region.
