The latest shutdown of the Daily Monitor and its sister media outlets under Nation Media Group has once again drawn attention to the newspaper’s decades-long relationship with the government.
The closure of the Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda, Spark TV, KFM and Dembe FM on Sunday is not an isolated incident. It is the latest in a series of security operations that have seen the media house temporarily forced off air or shut down over stories considered sensitive by the authorities.
Since its establishment in 1992, the Daily Monitor has built its reputation on independent journalism, often publishing investigative stories involving government, the military and public institutions.
Over the years, many of its biggest investigations and exclusive reports have triggered strong reactions from security agencies, leading to arrests, raids and temporary closures.
The first major confrontation came on October 11 2002.
Armed security personnel raided the Monitor’s headquarters in Namuwongo, Kampala, shut down its operations, seized computers and documents.
The action followed the newspaper’s publication of a story reporting that a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) helicopter had been shot down during military operations against the Lord’s Resistance Army in northern Uganda.
Government disputed the report, insisting the aircraft had crashed because of mechanical failure.
Just days before the raid, President Yoweri Museveni had publicly described the Monitor as “an enemy newspaper” during his Independence Day address, accusing it of undermining national security and promoting rebel propaganda.
The newspaper remained closed for more than a week before operations resumed.
Three years later, another Nation Media Group outlet, KFM came under government action.
In August 2005, KFM radio was ordered off air after broadcaster Andrew Mwenda discussed the helicopter crash that killed South Sudanese leader John Garang.
During his programme, Mwenda questioned the condition of the helicopter provided to Garang and alleged that it had not been properly maintained.
The broadcast prompted security agencies to arrest Mwenda, who spent three days in detention before securing bail.
Authorities also threatened action against the Daily Monitor, but following negotiations, KFM was eventually allowed to resume broadcasting.
Soon after launching in December 2006, NTV Uganda also ran into regulatory difficulties.
In January 2007, government switched off the station’s transmitters and removed some broadcasting equipment, citing licensing and technical compliance concerns.
After months of discussions between regulators and the broadcaster, NTV resumed operations in April 2007.
Perhaps the most dramatic shutdown before 2026 occurred on 20 May 2013. Police officers sealed off the Monitor premises in Namuwongo after the newspaper published a letter attributed to Gen. David Sejusa (Tinyefuza).
The letter alleged the existence of an assassination plot against senior government officials opposed to the so-called “Muhoozi Project”, an alleged succession plan involving Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Police declared the premises a crime scene, searched the newsroom and suspended operations for several days while investigations continued.
The raid attracted widespread criticism from media rights organisations and press freedom advocates.
The latest shutdown came on Sunday after armed security personnel surrounded the Nation Media Group headquarters in Namuwongo and NTV premises at Kampala Serena Hotel.
The operation forced the Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda, Spark TV, KFM and Dembe FM to suspend operations.
The deployment followed public statements by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who had earlier announced on social media that Nation Media Group outlets would be closed.
By Sunday night, soldiers had taken control of the premises and blocked access to the media house, in an operation that closely resembled the 2013 raid.
Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) acknowledged the temporary interruption of broadcasting services by Nation Media Group outlets and urged the public to remain calm as engagements continue.
