After days of uncertainty surrounding the closure of some of Uganda’s leading media outlets, a breakthrough may be on the horizon following a high-level meeting between General Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the ownership and senior leadership of Nation Media Group (NMG).
The meeting took place at the Special Forces Command (SFC) headquarters in Entebbe and focused on finding a way forward after the military’s indefinite shutdown of NTV Uganda, the Daily Monitor, Spark TV, and KFM.
Present at the talks were NMG owner Rostam Aziz, his son Saam Aziz, Taarifa Limited Chief of Staff Georgia Mutagaywa, political commentator Andrew Mwenda, and senior officials from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the meeting was frank, with both sides openly addressing the issues that led to the standoff. General Muhoozi defended the military’s actions, saying the raids on NMG facilities in Namuwongo and at the Serena Hotel were prompted by what he described as a sustained campaign of blackmail against the government. He also argued that some of the group’s editorial coverage had, in the military’s view, undermined Uganda’s national interests.
Despite the sharp differences, the atmosphere reportedly became more constructive as the discussions progressed. By the end of the meeting, both sides had reached an understanding that the affected media outlets would be allowed to resume operations, although formal engagements between NMG management and the military are still expected before broadcasting and publishing fully return to normal.
The talks are being seen as an important step toward easing tensions between the media and the security establishment, with many hoping they will pave the way for a more constructive working relationship going forward.
The next move now rests with President Yoweri Museveni. General Muhoozi is expected to submit a formal report to the President outlining the outcome of the discussions. The President’s decision will determine when NTV Uganda, the Daily Monitor, Spark TV, and KFM will officially be cleared to resume normal operations.
For journalists, media workers, and audiences across the country, the outcome of that report is likely to be closely watched, as it could mark the end of one of the most significant stand-offs between the military and a major media house in recent years.
