Uganda's NMG to reopen after Museveni lifts shutdown

Nation Media Group's outlets in Uganda will gradually resume operations after President Yoweri Museveni authorised their reopening, the company's largest shareholder Taifa Group said Tuesday.

The independent media group's Ugandan outlets were forced to close in late June after General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni's son and Uganda's army chief, ordered troops to block access to its offices and studios.

Kainerugaba, widely viewed as Museveni's heir apparent, wrote on X after the shutdown that he did "NOT believe in a free press!" in Uganda and accused NMG outlets of a "lifetime of insults" against him.

Taifa Group, which became NMG's largest shareholder in March, said Museveni had authorised the resumption of the group's operations in Uganda. Taifa founder Rostam Azizi thanked Museveni and Kainerugaba and said Taifa backed NMG's commitment to fair, balanced, independent and responsible journalism.

NMG chairman Joe Muganda said the company's television, newspaper, radio and online services would be restored gradually.

The Daily Monitor, one of Uganda's most influential independent newspapers, had not updated its website since June 30, but reported Museveni's decision on Tuesday.

The paper was shut down for 13 days in 2013 after reporting on an alleged plot to prepare Kainerugaba to take over from his father, who has ruled Uganda since 1986.

Uganda ranks 143rd out of 180 countries on the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.