Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on Wednesday held a high-level meeting with senior executives from Nation Media Group in Entebbe as efforts gathered pace to resolve the controversial suspension of several of the company’s media outlets in Uganda.
The meeting, held at the Special Forces Command headquarters in Entebbe, brought together senior military officials and media executives following days of heightened tensions over the closure of the broadcaster and publisher’s operations.
Among those present were Nation Media Group owner Rostam Aziz, his son Saam Aziz, Georgia Mutagaywa, veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda, and Acting UPDF/Defence Public Information Director Chris Magezi.
Focus on Suspended Media Outlets
The discussions focused on the suspension of NTV Uganda, Daily Monitor, Spark TV and KFM, a move that has generated widespread public debate and drawn concern from journalists, media stakeholders and civil society organizations.
The military ordered the shutdown after accusing some of the outlets of broadcasting reports and commentary it considered hostile to national security interests.
The decision sparked mixed reactions, with critics warning that the closures threatened media freedom, while supporters argued that reporting on security matters must be conducted responsibly.
Constructive Engagement
Sources familiar with the discussions described the meeting as cautious but constructive, saying both sides explored ways to improve relations and address concerns raised by the military leadership.
Although neither the Uganda People’s Defence Force nor Nation Media Group had issued an official statement by Wednesday evening, the rare face-to-face engagement between Gen. Muhoozi and the media executives was widely viewed as a significant step toward resolving the dispute.
The suspension has disrupted television broadcasts, radio programming and newspaper circulation across Uganda, raising broader concerns about press freedom and the operating environment for independent media as the country heads into an increasingly active political period.
