ENTEBBE — Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has held a meeting with Nation Media Group Uganda owners to discuss the suspension of the company’s flagship outlets, NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor.
The meeting took place at the Special Forces Command headquarters in Entebbe. In attendance were NMG owner Mr. Rostam Aziz, his son Mr. Saam Aziz, and Ms. Georgia Mutagaywa, Chief of Staff of Taarifa Limited, the parent organization of NMG.
As of press time, the specific reasons for the closure of NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor had not been officially disclosed by NMG, the Uganda Communications Commission, or government authorities. No statement has been issued outlining the duration of the suspension, conditions for reopening, or any administrative actions taken against the outlets.
The engagement at SFC headquarters marks the first direct meeting between Gen. Muhoozi and NMG’s top ownership since the outlets went off air. According to attendees, the discussions centered on the ongoing closure and the future operations of NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor.
Neither the CDF’s office nor NMG had released a communiqué on the outcome of the talks by press time. Attempts to get comment from UCC officials were also unsuccessful.
NTV Uganda, a 24-hour television station, and the Daily Monitor, one of Uganda’s leading daily newspapers, ceased operations abruptly. The shutdown affected broadcast services, online platforms, and print distribution nationwide.
Staff at both outlets were informed of the suspension, though NMG management has not published details on staff welfare, resumption timelines, or the legal basis for the closure. The company’s other operations in Uganda and the region remain operational.
The closure has disrupted news coverage, advertising, and programming for thousands of viewers and readers. Media industry players have expressed concern over the impact on press freedom, access to information, and jobs in the media sector.
Nation Media Group, headquartered in Nairobi, has operated in Uganda for more than two decades through Taarifa Limited. NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor are among the country’s most-watched and most-read media brands, covering politics, business, and social issues.
The meeting with Gen. Muhoozi follows a period of heightened scrutiny of media operations in Uganda. Regulators have previously cited issues ranging from licensing compliance to content standards when sanctioning broadcasters and publishers. However, no public notice linking specific violations to the current NMG closure had been issued as of June 26, 2026.
With talks now underway between the CDF and NMG owners, attention shifts to whether a resolution will allow NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor to resume operations. Key issues likely to be addressed include regulatory compliance, editorial policy, licensing requirements, and timelines for reopening.
Civil society groups and media watchdogs are calling for transparency on the reasons for the closure and for due process to be followed under Uganda’s laws on media regulation and freedom of expression.
Until an official statement is released, the exact details and duration of the closure remain unclear.
