WASHINGTON, D.C. — The chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jim Risch, has called for a review of Washington’s security partnership with Uganda following the closure of major media outlets by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
In a statement posted on X on June 29, Risch criticised Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, over what he described as actions that undermine press freedom.
“The U.S. needs to review its security relationship with Uganda,” Risch wrote.
“Gen. @mkainerugaba’s attacks on free speech, including shuttering major media houses this weekend, make him & the UPDF unfit partners. We should only work with those who advance regional security, not diminish it.”
The remarks came after armed security personnel entered the premises of Nation Media Group Uganda in Namuwongo, Kampala, as well as the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre, where NTV Uganda had been broadcasting election coverage.
The operation disrupted broadcasts by NTV Uganda and Spark TV, while publication of the Daily Monitor was also halted.
Before the closures, Gen. Muhoozi had announced on X that the outlets would cease operations.
“NTV and Monitor are being shut down from today,” he wrote.
He later claimed the media houses required presidential approval to operate and further stated that he “does not believe in a free press.”
Nation Media Group Uganda said it would continue serving audiences through its digital platforms while access to its offices remained restricted.
The shutdown has triggered criticism from political leaders and media stakeholders. Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, accused the military of acting with the backing of President Yoweri Museveni.
“This is the harsh reality we now face a country under open military rule, where fear replaces law and force replaces accountability,” he said.
Journalist Andrew Mwenda later disclosed that he had held discussions with Gen. Muhoozi and officials from the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) on reopening the affected media outlets. Muhoozi subsequently confirmed that consultations were ongoing with colleagues in the United Kingdom and Europe before recommendations would be submitted to President Museveni.
Uganda has long been a key U.S. security partner in East Africa, with the UPDF participating in regional peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations, including missions in Somalia. Senator Risch’s remarks mark the latest international response as pressure mounts over the closure of the media houses.