Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi has sharply criticised the shutdown of Nation Media Group outlets in Uganda, warning that the move undermines Parliament’s recent commitment to uphold media freedom and threatens public access to information.
Raising the matter during proceedings of the 12th Parliament, the Nakawa West MP reminded the House of assurances made by the Speaker that journalists would be allowed to operate freely.
His remarks come at a time when several NMG platforms, including NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor, remain off air following a controversial security directive.
“You made it clear in your remarks after being declared Speaker that the media should be able to operate freely,” Ssenyonyi said.
“The media houses that had previously been barred from Parliament eventually returned.”
However, he warned that the latest developments present a direct contradiction to that position.
“Today, we see the same media houses under the Nation Media Group being shut down arbitrarily because they are holding leaders accountable,” he added.
“This raises serious questions about the consistency of our commitment to media freedom as a House.”
The shutdown, reportedly ordered by Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba, saw security personnel deployed at media premises in Kampala, halting broadcasts and locking out journalists.
Multiple platforms under the group—including television, radio, and print operations—were affected, amplifying the scale of the disruption.
Ssenyonyi also questioned the role of the Uganda Communications Commission, noting that the regulator had distanced itself from the decision.
“The Uganda Communications Commission, the regulatory body, has stated that it does not know the circumstances under which the closure occurred,” he told Parliament.
“They have indicated that they will investigate, which makes the situation even more concerning.”
He cautioned that such actions risk creating a chilling effect on journalism.
“When media houses are silenced without clear justification, it creates fear and uncertainty within the press,” Ssenyonyi said. “That ultimately affects the public’s right to information.”
The incident has triggered wider concern among media stakeholders and rights observers, who warn that the lack of transparency surrounding the shutdown could set a troubling precedent.
Some analysts argue that actions targeting major independent outlets risk narrowing the space for accountability, particularly during politically sensitive periods.
While authorities have linked the move to security considerations, no detailed explanation or formal charges against the media house have been made public.
Negotiations between the media group and state officials are reportedly ongoing, as attention turns to when—or whether—the affected outlets will resume operations.
The unfolding standoff now places renewed scrutiny on Uganda’s commitment to press freedom, with Parliament at the centre of a growing debate over the gap between stated principles and actions on the ground.