ENTEBBE, Uganda — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on Wednesday held high-level talks with senior executives of Nation Media Group (NMG) as efforts gathered pace to resolve the suspension of several of the company’s media outlets in the country.
The meeting, held at the Special Forces Command (SFC) headquarters in Entebbe, brought together senior military officials and media executives amid mounting concern over press freedom and the closure of some of Uganda’s leading television, radio and print platforms.
Among those in attendance were Nation Media Group shareholder Rostam Aziz, Saam Aziz and Georgia Mutagaywa. Veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda and Acting Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Director of Defence Public Information, Chris Magezi, also participated in the discussions.
The meeting came days after Ugandan authorities suspended the operations of NTV Uganda, Daily Monitor, Spark TV and KFM, a move that has drawn criticism from journalists, media rights organisations and sections of civil society.
Talks Aim to Ease Tensions
Sources familiar with the discussions said the meeting focused on finding a way forward following the suspension of the media outlets, which has disrupted television broadcasts, radio programming and newspaper circulation across Uganda.
According to the sources, the talks were cautious but constructive, with both the military leadership and Nation Media Group exploring options to rebuild working relations while addressing concerns raised by the security establishment.
Neither the UPDF nor Nation Media Group had issued an official statement on the outcome of the meeting by Wednesday evening.
The rare face-to-face engagement between Gen. Muhoozi and the media executives is being viewed as a significant step towards resolving the impasse.
Shutdown Sparks Press Freedom Debate
The suspension of the media outlets followed accusations by military authorities that some broadcasts and commentaries were hostile to national security interests.
The closures triggered widespread public debate, with media stakeholders warning that restrictions on independent journalism could undermine constitutional guarantees on freedom of expression and access to information.
Supporters of the government’s position, however, argued that media organisations have a responsibility to report on security matters accurately and responsibly, particularly where national security is concerned.
The standoff has also generated intense discussion on social media, with calls for dialogue between the government and the affected media houses.
Concerns Ahead of Political Season
The shutdown has affected millions of viewers, listeners and readers who rely on Nation Media Group’s Ugandan platforms for news and current affairs.
Analysts say the dispute comes at a politically sensitive time as Uganda heads into a more active electoral period, increasing scrutiny over the relationship between state institutions and the media.
Media rights advocates have continued to emphasise that an independent press plays a critical role in promoting transparency, accountability and informed public debate, while governments retain the responsibility of safeguarding national security within the framework of the law.
The outcome of the ongoing discussions between the military leadership and Nation Media Group is expected to determine whether the suspended outlets will resume operations in the coming days or whether further negotiations will be required to resolve the dispute.