Ugandan General Muhoozi Threatens to Shut Down Daily Monitor and NTV
KAMPALA, Uganda — A new debate over media freedom has erupted after Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, publicly threatened to shut down two of the nation’s leading independent media houses, Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda. The threat, posted on his social media account, has drawn sharp reactions from journalists, political analysts and rights advocates .
In a social media post on June 16, 2026, Gen. Muhoozi wrote: “I want to switch off both @DailyMonitor and @ntvuganda. I will do it soon. I just need clearance from Mzee” — a reference to his father, President Yoweri Museveni . The post quickly gained traction, accumulating over 222,000 views and sparking a wave of public responses .
Context of the Threat
General Muhoozi’s threat follows a series of earlier statements in which he accused Daily Monitor and NTV of supporting opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine. In February 2026, Gen. Muhoozi alleged that the two media outlets were facilitating opposition efforts to solicit European support, which he characterized as part of a “destabilisation strategy” against Uganda .
The CDF previously issued similar warnings in February 2025, threatening to shut down Kenya’s Standard Media Group over a front-page story that described him as a “Four-Star Brat” . He also announced an audit of all media houses, stating at the time: “All of you will report to my office from now” .
Public Reactions
The threat elicited sharply divided public opinion. Many Ugandans expressed support for Gen. Muhoozi’s stance, accusing Daily Monitor and NTV of spreading “fake news” and inciting violence. One user responded: “All Ugandans are firmly behind you. Mzee should give you the green light to shut them down” .
Others, however, urged caution, calling for dialogue rather than confrontation. One user suggested the government should “rehabilitate and coordinate with these media houses to do good things for this country,” adding that “Government needs a media liaison office to coordinate with all these media houses towards a certain agenda” .
Media Freedom Concerns
Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda are among the country’s most influential news organisations, known for extensive coverage of politics, governance and current affairs . Media rights advocates have warned that threats against press freedom, particularly during a politically sensitive period following the 2026 general election, could undermine public trust and restrict information flow .
The situation has drawn international attention. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) previously expressed alarm over Gen. Muhoozi’s comments, stating that he had threatened to “crush” journalists who “abuse” him .
Official Response
Neither Daily Monitor nor NTV Uganda has officially responded to Gen. Muhoozi’s latest threat as of press time . However, the statement has intensified discussions about the relationship between state institutions and independent media in Uganda .
The Uganda Communications Commission recently convened a meeting with media managers and owners to address concerns about hate speech and national security, though it remains unclear whether this initiative is directly linked to Gen. Muhoozi’s demands .
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