KAMPALA — Editors and journalists at Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda have been directed to suspend all online publishing and digital broadcasts as the company pursues negotiations with government officials over the continued closure of its media outlets.
The directive, issued during a virtual staff meeting on Wednesday evening, marks a significant shift in the company’s response to the shutdown that has kept its television, radio and newspaper operations offline since Sunday.
According to information shared with staff during the 6 p.m. meeting, editors were instructed that there should be “no more online publications or broadcasts for now, as we may jeopardise the ongoing state engagement.”
The move leaves the Daily Monitor website and NTV Uganda’s digital platforms largely inactive after several days of continued online reporting despite the physical closure of the company’s premises.
Following the shutdown, Nation Media Group had maintained a limited digital news operation, arguing internally that there had been no formal regulatory directive specifically prohibiting online publishing. Journalists continued covering events and filing stories, while the Daily Monitor website was regularly updated with fresh news reports. Staff worked without the company’s branded equipment and identification materials after losing access to their offices.
Similarly, NTV Uganda continued producing limited digital content, including livestreaming its flagship Luganda news bulletin, Akawungeezi, on social media platforms even though its television signal remained off air.
The suspension of digital publishing comes as senior NMG management intensifies engagement with state officials in an effort to secure the reopening of the media house.
On Wednesday, Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba met the leadership and ownership of Nation Media Group Uganda at the Special Forces Command headquarters in Entebbe to discuss the closure. According to an official account of the meeting, both sides discussed the reasons advanced for the shutdown and efforts to resolve the standoff. Gen. Kainerugaba said he would submit a report on the discussions to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni before a final decision is made on reopening the media group’s premises.
Nation Media Group has separately confirmed that discussions with authorities are ongoing. The company said it remains hopeful the impasse will be resolved, although its staff continue to be denied access to its offices.
The shutdown began on June 28 after security personnel surrounded Nation Media Group’s premises in Namuwongo and its broadcast facilities, following public statements by Gen. Muhoozi ordering the closure of Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda and other NMG outlets. The action also took Spark TV, KFM and Dembe FM off air.
The closure has drawn criticism from media freedom organisations and international rights groups, while the government has maintained that the action is linked to an ongoing security investigation.
