A fresh rift has emerged within Uganda’s political and communication circles after former government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo publicly questioned the authority behind the controversial shutdown of Nation Media Group (NMG) outlets.
Opondo’s remarks come in response to statements by veteran journalist and Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Director of Communications Andrew Mwenda, who had earlier indicated that discussions with Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba could pave the way for the reopening of Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda.
In an X response, Opondo raised fundamental questions about the chain of authority behind both the shutdown and the proposed reopening.
“Was it PLU or the government that took the action to close the two media houses?” Opondo asked, before escalating his criticism. “Or maybe let us know if the NRM that Ugandans elected on 15th January 2026 is no more, and we just settle down.”
Authority Dispute Emerges
Opondo’s statement introduces a new dimension to the ongoing controversy, shifting focus from the shutdown itself to questions of institutional control and governance.
His remarks suggest concern over what appears to be overlapping roles between political organisations, the military, and the elected government.
The shutdown of NMG outlets—including NTV Uganda, Spark TV, and the Daily Monitor—was executed by security forces following a directive publicly attributed to Gen Muhoozi.
However, no formal communication from statutory regulators or cabinet-level authorities has clarified the legal basis of the action.
Mwenda’s Mediation Role Questioned
Mwenda had positioned PLU as a key player in negotiations to resolve the standoff, stating that reopening would follow consultations with NMG management.
Opondo’s response directly challenges this role, implying that decisions of such magnitude should rest with formal government structures rather than political groupings.