Uganda's NTV and Daily Monitor say they are under 'military siege'

Uganda’s military chief has ordered the closure of NTV, the country’s leading private television station, and *Daily Monitor*, the oldest independent newspaper, according to multiple reports. The outlets describe the move as a ‘military siege,’ with operations suspended and staff facing restrictions. Coverage does not yet specify whether the shutdown is permanent or tied to recent political developments.

International and regional outlets—including **Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, DW.com, Politico**, and *Livingston Enterprise*—are reporting the shutdown, framing it as a direct challenge to press freedom. The military’s stated justification remains unclear, though the move follows a pattern of heightened restrictions on dissent under President Yoweri Museveni’s extended rule. Next steps hinge on whether the military will reinstate operations or expand the crackdown.

If the shutdown persists, it could trigger protests or international condemnation, particularly from press freedom groups. Uganda’s government has historically resisted foreign criticism over media restrictions, but the scale of this action may draw sharper global scrutiny.