Nation Media Group (NMG) has issued a response following widespread circulation of a statement attributed to Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in which he allegedly threatened to shut down NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor.
The remarks reportedly emerged after the two outlets aired coverage examining his online activity and long-running history of controversial public statements.
The alleged statement, which also referenced the need for clearance from senior leadership before any action, triggered renewed debate over press freedom and the role of security officials in public communication.
It quickly circulated across social media platforms, drawing reactions from journalists, political commentators, and civil society actors.
In its response, Nation Media Group invoked long-standing national discourse on freedom of expression, citing remarks attributed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during a UNLF public rally in 1980.
The statement read: “Freedom of speech is a right of the people and not a favour from the [Ugandan] government.”
The media group did not indicate any disruption to its operations and has not reported any official communication ordering the closure of either NTV Uganda or Daily Monitor.
Both outlets continue to broadcast and publish content normally, despite the ongoing online debate surrounding the alleged remarks.
Media rights groups and analysts have warned that the controversy reflects a deeper and recurring tension between state institutions and independent journalism in Uganda.
They argue that repeated confrontations between senior officials and the press risk creating a chilling effect on reporting, particularly on matters involving security leadership and governance.
Some commentators also linked the dispute to recent coverage involving former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, whose alleged abduction and related claims have dominated online discussions and drawn scrutiny of official responses.
The situation has further intensified public interest in how state actors engage with media reporting.