ENTEBBE — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on Wednesday held high-level talks with the leadership and ownership of Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda as efforts intensify to resolve the shutdown of the company’s media outlets.
The meeting took place at the Special Forces Command (SFC) headquarters in Entebbe.
The Nation Media Group delegation was led by the company’s owner, Rostam Aziz, and included Saam Aziz and Georgia Mutagaywa. Also in attendance were veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda and the Acting UPDF/Defence Public Information Director, Col. Chris Magezi.
The meeting comes days after the closure of NTV Uganda, Daily Monitor, Spark TV, KFM and Dembe FM, following orders issued by Gen. Muhoozi, sparking widespread debate over media freedom and press operations in Uganda.
According to a statement issued after the meeting, the discussions centred on the circumstances surrounding the closure of Nation Media Group’s premises and possible avenues for resolving the standoff.
Gen. Muhoozi said he would brief President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the outcome of the discussions before a decision is taken on the reopening of the media house.
“I had a fruitful meeting with the leadership and ownership of Nation Media Group. I will brief the President on our discussions and a decision regarding the reopening of the media house will be made thereafter,” Gen. Muhoozi said.
The shutdown has forced the affected television stations off air, halted newspaper production and disrupted radio broadcasts, while journalists have been unable to access their offices. Nation Media Group also suspended online publishing on Wednesday evening as negotiations with the government continued.
The closure has drawn concern from media rights organisations, journalists’ associations and civil society groups, who have called for a swift resolution and the restoration of normal media operations.
While neither the government nor Nation Media Group disclosed details of the discussions, Wednesday’s meeting is being viewed as a significant step towards resolving one of the country’s most closely watched disputes involving the military and an independent media organisation.