Democratic Front Condemns NMG Shutdown, Demands Reopening

The newly formed Democratic Front (DF) has voiced strong opposition to the recent military actions against Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda. The party characterized the shutdown of NMG’s broadcasting and publishing arms as a direct assault on the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and press freedom.

In a statement released Sunday, the DF, established in May 2025, asserted that closing outlets like Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda, Spark TV, KFM, and Dembe FM significantly damages the foundation of Uganda’s democracy. The party highlighted that these actions contravene Articles 29(1)(a) and (c) of the nation’s Constitution, which explicitly protect free speech and media independence.

Led by President Mathias Mpuuga, the Democratic Front emphasized the indispensable role of a free and independent media in a functioning society. “Democracy cannot grow or be held accountable without a free press and free speech for all citizens,” the party stated, underscoring the vital link between media freedom and democratic accountability.

The DF has formally called upon military authorities to retract their decision and permit NMG’s media houses to resume their regular operations without delay. “We therefore call for the immediate and unconditional reopening of all NMG media houses to uphold the Constitution and protect our democratic space,” the statement concluded.

The closures followed a raid on Friday by security forces on Daily Monitor’s headquarters and NTV Uganda’s broadcast facilities. Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba later indicated on social media that President Museveni had approved the shutdown and that all future “bad stories” about Uganda would require clearance from his office.

As of the report’s writing, the Democratic Front indicated that various media associations and international bodies were reportedly engaging with military leadership concerning the reopening of NMG, though these engagements had not been independently verified.