The shutdown of Nation Media Group (NMG) outlets in Uganda has drawn sharp criticism from civil society, with activist Anthony Natif arguing that the move exposes weaknesses within the government rather than faults in the media.
NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor were forced off air on Sunday following orders issued by Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Security operatives deployed at the media house’s premises in Kampala halted operations, blocking staff access and suspending broadcasts.
Reacting to the development, Natif framed the closure as a strategic misstep by the state.
“Shutting down NTV and Monitor is actually a sign of government failure at the strategic communications game more than it is an indication of the media house’s supposed bias,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing debate over the role of independent media in Uganda’s political landscape, particularly at a time of heightened scrutiny on governance and succession politics.
Natif further argued that suppressing critical voices undermines the government’s ability to build legitimacy and public trust.
“There’s no government on earth that has successfully built elite consensus by jailing or shutting down its critics,” he added.
The activist’s comments align with concerns raised by media rights groups, which have described the shutdown as a significant setback for press freedom in the region.
Observers note that NMG, a Kenya-based media conglomerate, operates some of Uganda’s most influential independent platforms, making the move particularly consequential.
As pressure mounts, the focus is likely to shift to how the Ugandan government balances national security concerns with constitutional guarantees on freedom of expression—an issue that continues to shape political discourse across East Africa.