Daily Monitor's Journey: From a Weekly Debut to a Media Giant

Uganda’s media landscape was significantly reshaped on this day in 1992 with the inaugural publication of The Monitor. This newspaper, which would later evolve into the widely recognized Daily Monitor, began its journey as a weekly publication.

The ambitious venture was spearheaded by seven journalists: Wafula Oguttu, Charles Onyango-Obbo, David Ouma Balikowa, Kevin Aliro, Richard Tebere, James Serugo, and Kevin O’Connor. These founders had previously departed from the Weekly Topic to establish their own independent voice.

Operating with modest resources, the first Friday edition of The Monitor printed just 5,000 copies. It quickly became a sell-out in Kampala, signaling a strong public appetite for its fresh perspective and critical reporting.

The publication experienced steady growth, transitioning to a daily newspaper in 1996. A few years thereafter, the Nation Media Group of Kenya acquired a majority stake, injecting crucial investment that modernized its operations and expanded its reach across the nation.

In 2005, the newspaper officially rebranded as the Daily Monitor, a name that has become synonymous with Ugandan journalism. Beyond its print operations, Monitor Publications Limited has diversified into a comprehensive multimedia company, incorporating radio stations KFM and Dembe FM, and establishing a prominent digital news platform.

Throughout its history, the Daily Monitor has also been characterized by its robust and often contentious relationship with state authorities. The paper faced a ban on government advertising in 1993 due to its critical stance. Its newsroom subsequently endured raids in 2002 and a significant 11-day occupation by security forces in 2013 following the publication of a leaked military document. In June 2026, security forces again raided its headquarters, impacting operations of the Daily Monitor and its sister outlets.