TAKEAWAYS

• President Museveni has authorised Nation Media Group to resume operations in Uganda.

• The media house had been shut down for about a month on the orders of CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

• The reopening restores NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Daily Monitor, KFM and Dembe FM.

President Yoweri Museveni has authorised the resumption of Nation Media Group (NMG) operations in Uganda, ending a nearly month-long shutdown that left some of the country’s biggest independent media platforms off air and out of print.

The decision was announced on Tuesday by Taifa Group, the Tanzanian investment firm that is the majority shareholder of Nation Media Group through its subsidiary, Taarifa Limited.

The reopening comes as welcome news to thousands of Ugandans who had been calling for the return of the media house, whose television, radio, newspaper and digital platforms were shut down in late June.

The closure followed an order by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who deployed security personnel to Nation Media Group premises in Kampala. Soldiers sealed off the company’s headquarters in Namuwongo and its television studios, forcing NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Daily Monitor, KFM and Dembe FM to suspend operations.

While government officials later described the action as part of an ongoing security investigation, Gen Muhoozi had publicly accused the media house of acting against Uganda’s national interests and said the outlets would not reopen without his approval.

Following weeks of negotiations involving Taifa Group, Nation Media Group executives and senior Ugandan officials, President Museveni has now approved the company’s return.

In a statement, Taifa Group Chairman Rostam Aziz thanked both President Museveni and Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba for their role in resolving the standoff.

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for this important decision, and to General Muhoozi Kainerugaba for his support throughout the engagement that led to this positive outcome.”

Aziz said the company remains committed to investing in Uganda and supporting responsible journalism.

“We are honoured by this decision and remain steadfast in our commitment to Uganda’s socio-economic development through responsible investment, long-term partnerships and sustainable value creation.”

He also reaffirmed the company’s support for independent and responsible journalism.

“As the majority shareholder of Nation Media Group, we fully support the Group’s commitment to fair, balanced, independent and responsible journalism that informs, educates and contributes positively to public discourse.”

Nation Media Group Chairman Joe Muganda said the immediate priority is to rebuild operations and reconnect with audiences across Uganda.

“We welcome the opportunity to resume operations in Uganda and to reconnect with our audiences, employees, commercial partners and communities.”

He added that the company would focus on restoring services while strengthening local content.

“Our immediate priority will be to restore our platforms responsibly, strengthen local content and provide Ugandans with credible, relevant and innovative journalism across print, broadcast and digital channels.”

The return of Nation Media Group restores one of Uganda’s largest independent media organisations and brings back some of the country’s most widely followed brands. For many Ugandans, the decision marks the end of weeks of uncertainty and the return of familiar news, current affairs and entertainment programming across television, radio, print and digital platforms.