WAN-IFRA, World Editors Forum condemn Uganda media shutdown

The World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the World Editors Forum have condemned the military shutdown of Nation Media Group-owned media outlets in Uganda, calling on President Yoweri Museveni to immediately reopen the affected media houses and uphold press freedom.

In a letter to President Museveni, the organisations described the military raid on Nation Media Group's headquarters in Kampala as "grave violations of both domestic and international standards established to protect freedom of expression and press freedom."

According to WAN-IFRA, military personnel raided the company's premises in the early hours of Sunday, June 28, forcing television and radio broadcasts off the air, shutting down print operations and temporarily detaining journalists and staff.

The affected outlets included the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda.

The organisations said the operation was reportedly carried out following directives issued by Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, whose recent public remarks about the media also drew sharp criticism.

"Public statements threatening individual journalists and media leaders, declaring media should operate only with military approval, and dismissing press freedom as something 'not to believe in', are particularly disturbing," the letter states.

WAN-IFRA and the World Editors Forum said the actions represented "a direct assault on constitutionally protected freedoms" and "have no place in a democratic society."

"They represent an affront to the Ugandan people's fundamental human right to access and receive information, and serve only to undermine the position of the Ugandan government vis-a-vis its duties and obligations," the organisations said.

The global media bodies appealed to President Museveni to intervene, saying, "WAN-IFRA appeals for the urgent reversal of this fateful trajectory, and calls on you to demand the reopening of all shuttered media titles and to oversee the immediate withdrawal of all military personnel."

They also urged the President to publicly reject General Kainerugaba's statements, saying, "We strongly encourage you to denounce General Kainerugaba's statements as a means to clearly indicate his views are not representative of the official Ugandan government position with regards to the independent press."

The organisations further called on the Ugandan government to guarantee the safety of journalists and media workers and reaffirm its commitment to the Ugandan Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.

"We call on you to provide guarantees for the safety and protection of all journalists and media workers as Uganda moves forward from this deeply regrettable incident," the letter says.

WAN-IFRA and the World Editors Forum said they would continue monitoring the situation closely and encourage international partners, including the European Union and other global stakeholders, to do the same.