NMG Uganda Halts Online Publications Amidst Government Negotiations

Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda has issued a directive for its editorial teams to immediately stop all online publishing and broadcasting. This significant step is being taken to facilitate ongoing negotiations with the government concerning the reopening of the company’s media operations.

The decision follows a series of high-level meetings involving NMG executives from Kenya, including Group CEO Geoffrey Odindo and Group Editor-in-Chief Joe Ageyo, who have been in Kampala to spearhead discussions with state officials.

During a virtual staff meeting, management informed employees that halting online content was crucial to avoid jeopardizing the sensitive government engagement. Staff were urged to remain calm and patient, with assurances that NMG remains committed to independent journalism once operations resume.

This move marks a shift from the initial response to the shutdown, where NMG’s digital platforms, including the Daily Monitor website and NTV Uganda’s social media, continued to publish content for several days. This was done despite the closure of physical premises, as there had been no explicit order from regulators to stop online activities.

The directive came shortly after a meeting in Entebbe between Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and NMG’s majority shareholder, Rostam Aziz. Reports suggest that Gen. Kainerugaba presented articles from the Daily Monitor, categorizing them as either balanced or biased, and also raised concerns about specific NTV Uganda news bulletins, suggesting they blurred the lines between journalism and activism.

While these discussions have raised hopes for a resolution, NMG management has cautioned that there is no firm timeline for resuming operations. The prolonged uncertainty leaves hundreds of employees in limbo and audiences without access to one of Uganda’s prominent independent media organizations.

Concerns have also been voiced by stakeholders, such as Daily Monitor co-founder Philip Wafula Oguttu, regarding the negotiation process and the potential exclusion of local management from crucial discussions.

Source: The Observer (Uganda)