The army chief of Uganda, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered the shutdown of several key media outlets, sparking concerns about a repressive regime. Gen Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, has made it clear he does not believe in a free press.
According to reports from the Daily Monitor, armed soldiers were stationed outside the newspaper's headquarters in the capital Kampala, and both NTV and Spark TV had been taken off air. The outlets are part of the Nation Media Group, one of the most influential media companies in East Africa.
Gen Kainerugaba's crackdown has been met with widespread condemnation from opposition and human rights groups, who accuse him of being a central figure in a highly repressive regime. Supporters of the president and his family, however, argue that they have guaranteed stability in Uganda and improved the economy under their rule.
The Daily Monitor has been raided by police in the past, most notably in 2013 over the publication of a letter allegedly linking senior government officials to a succession plan dubbed the 'Muhoozi Project'. NTV has also been forced off air in 2007 following accusations by the government that its news coverage was negative.
Uganda's National Broadcasters Association has said it will seek clarification from the government over the shutdown, saying it is in violation of the constitution. Defeated opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine, who is now in exile, has said that Gen Kainerugaba has 'moved to silence Uganda's remaining independent voices'.
The situation raises concerns about the state of press freedom in Uganda and the potential for further repression under the current regime. As the situation develops, it will be essential to monitor the response of the government and the international community.