NAIROBI, Kenya- Ugandan authorities have dismissed claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that President William Ruto played a role in the closure of Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda outlets, insisting that decisions made by Kampala are guided by the country’s Constitution and laws.
The response came from Daudi Kabanda, Executive Secretary in the Office of the National Chairman of Uganda’s Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), following remarks by Gachagua linking Ruto to the suspension of NTV Uganda, Daily Monitor and Spark TV.
The PLU is associated with Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also President Yoweri Museveni’s son.
“We note remarks by former Kenyan Deputy President @rigathi linking President @WilliamsRuto to the closure of NMG. While President Ruto is a close confidant of Gen. @mkainerugaba, Uganda’s decisions are guided by our Constitution and laws, not by individuals,” Kabanda said in a statement posted on X.
Kabanda urged Gachagua to withdraw his remarks and avoid interfering in Uganda’s domestic affairs.
“Gachagua should withdraw his statements against President Museveni and the CDF and focus on Kenya’s politics,” he added.
Gachagua’s Allegations
Gachagua had strongly criticised the shutdown of NTV Uganda, Spark TV and the Daily Monitor, accusing Gen. Muhoozi of suppressing press freedom.
He further alleged that President Ruto bore responsibility because of his close relationship with President Museveni and Gen. Muhoozi.
“He (Museveni) is a close confidant of William Ruto, and by association, Ruto is part and parcel of this shutdown,” Gachagua claimed.
However, the former Deputy President did not provide evidence to support the allegation.
He also argued that the closure reflected what he described as a broader decline in media freedom across East Africa, claiming that governments in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania were increasingly targeting independent media.
Talks Over Media Shutdown
The closure of the Nation Media Group Uganda outlets followed directives by Gen. Muhoozi, who accused the media house of sustained biased reporting against the Ugandan government.
According to journalist Andrew Mwenda, Ugandan officials presented a report covering five years of what they described as biased and inaccurate reporting by the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda.
Following the meeting, Gen. Muhoozi said he would submit a report to President Museveni before a final decision is made on whether the affected media outlets will resume operations.
Regional Press Freedom Debate
The closure has sparked concern among journalists, civil society organisations and legal groups across East Africa, with critics questioning its implications for media freedom and constitutional governance.
Ugandan authorities, however, maintain that the matter is being handled within the country’s legal and constitutional framework, rejecting suggestions of external political influence in the decision-making process.
