World’s press condemns media shutdowns in Uganda National Jun 30
The story
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Details
In the face of a military crackdown targeting independent media, WAN-IFRA has called on the government of Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, to honour constitutional guarantees and international standards protecting media freedom and the safety of journalists.
In the early hours of Sunday, 28th June, Ugandan military personnel raided the premises of Nation Media Group-owned media houses in Kampala, forcing television and radio broadcasts off the air and shuttering print titles. Journalists and media leaders are being targeted online as the military increases its pressure on independent media across the country.
WAN-IFRA and the World Editors Forum has written to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to call for an immediate reopening of shuttered media, reminding the long-serving head of state of his government’s obligations under domestic and international law to protect the freedom of the press and ensure the safety of journalists and media workers.
We are writing on behalf of the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the World Editors Forum to condemn the military-enforced shutdown of Nation Media Group titles and the targeting of independent media in Uganda. These actions are grave violations of both domestic and international standards established to protect freedom of expression and press freedom.
WAN-IFRA is appalled to learn that Nation Media Group radio, television and print titles — including the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda — were raided by military personnel in the early hours of Sunday, 28th June. Reports indicate that journalists and staff at the company’s headquarters in Kampala were temporarily detained and prevented from leaving while television and radio transmissions were taken off air.
We understand that these actions were taken following directives issued by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Public statements threatening individual journalists and media leaders, declaring media should operate only with military approval, and dismissing press freedom as something ‘not to believe in’, are particularly disturbing.
Why it matters
This is a public-interest story for Uganda because it touches institutions, communities, policy decisions, or services that affect daily life. Mods99 News will continue updating the article if more verified details become available.