NTV Uganda and Spark TV were taken off air in the early hours of Sunday after security personnel deployed at the premises of Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda following a series of social media posts by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, ordering the broadcaster to be shut down.
The security operation began shortly after midnight at NMG Uganda’s headquarters in Namuwongo and later extended to the Serena Hotel, where part of the broadcaster’s transmission infrastructure is housed.
By around 5:00am, viewers attempting to watch NTV Uganda and Spark TV found the channels unavailable. On GOtv, the stations displayed a “technical difficulties” message, while other platforms showed “video unavailable.”
The developments came hours after Gen Kainerugaba announced on X that NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor would be closed.
“NTV and Monitor are being shut down from today!” he posted at 1:07am.
In a subsequent post, he added: “Both NTV and Monitor will not re-open without my permission.”
Earlier, the army chief had also criticised press freedom, writing: “In Uganda, I DO NOT believe in a free press! The press should be guided by cadres of the revolution.”
Sources within Nation Media Group said security personnel surrounded the Namuwongo premises, restricting movement in and out of the media house.
As of Sunday morning, security officers remained deployed at both the Namuwongo offices and the Serena Hotel, while the two television stations were still off air.
