Kampala, Uganda: State House has clarified that Nation Media Group (NMG) was only barred from directly covering President Museveni’s functions due to persistent instances of misreporting, but not from covering government events or institutions.
In a statement released Wednesday evening, Kirunda Faruk, the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Deputy Press Secretary, said the decision by the President was limited in scope and followed repeated distortions in the Group’s coverage of his engagements.
“To set the record straight: H.E. @KagutaMuseveni stopped NMG (parent company of @DailyMonitor, @ntvuganda, @933kfm, etc.) from covering him as an individual after persistent instances of misreporting,” Kirunda said, quoting a DailyMonitor statement on the same.
“But the President did not stop NMG from working in Uganda or covering other government institutions. Moreover, as PPU, we continue to provide press releases and appreciate their use,” he added.
Mr Kirunda explained that President Museveni remains a firm defender of constitutional freedoms, noting that he has consistently promoted free media and access to information since restoring constitutional governance in Uganda.
“President Museveni cannot infringe on constitutional provisions when he is the one who oversaw the return to constitutionalism and the rule of law. He remains the most media-friendly leader,” he emphasized.
NMG Protests ‘Months-Long’ Blockade
Kirunda’s statement came hours after the Nation Media Group-Uganda earlier in the day issued a scathing statement expressing deep concern over its journalists being barred from covering both the Presidency and Parliament of Uganda.
The Group, which owns Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda, and KFM, described the restrictions as a violation of press freedom and citizens’ right to access information under the 1995 Constitution.
“There has been no formal communication explaining the reasons behind this blockade. Denying coverage of the Presidency and Parliament violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution,” said Susan Nsibirwa, NGM-U’s Managing Director.
The Group vowed to continue its work of holding public institutions accountable and reaffirmed its commitment to journalism that “informs, educates, and empowers citizens.” “Independent media is not a privilege; it is a constitutional duty,” the statement emphasized.
What is UJA position?
The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), an umbrella body of practicing journalists in the country, condemned Parliament’s decision to block NTV Uganda journalists from covering proceedings, describing the move as “a blatant violation of Articles 29(1)(a) and 41 of the Constitution.”
UJA Secretary General Emmanuel Kirunda, in a hard-hitting statement, said the association views the development as a deliberate attempt to silence independent media and undermine accountability.
“Parliament is a public institution funded by taxpayers and must remain open to scrutiny by all accredited journalists,” he wrote, adding, “Freedom of the press is not negotiable.”
The Association demanded that the ban on NMG journalists be lifted immediately, and urged the Speaker of Parliament to issue a formal clarification to restore public confidence in Parliament’s transparency.
DailyExpress understands that NMG journalists have been barred from directly covering President Museveni’s public functions since March 2025, following alleged disputes between State House and the media group over what officials described as repeated factual misrepresentations.
The latest extension of the blockade to Parliament has intensified debate over press freedom and media-government relations in Uganda, drawing concern from civil society, media advocates, and opposition groups.
Understanding the Presidential Coverage Protocols
Information obtained by DailyExpress shows that media coverage of President Yoweri Museveni’s official and private functions is coordinated by the Presidential Press Unit (PPU) under State House. The process to cover the event aligns with the following criteria;-
- Accreditation: Journalists seeking to cover presidential events must obtain PPU accreditation, which complements that of the Uganda Media Centre.
- Access: Accredited journalists are granted access to events based on space, security, and editorial protocols.
- Scope: PPU distinguishes between institutional coverage (activities of the Office of the President) and personal coverage (private or political engagements).
- Restrictions: When the President withdraws access from a particular media house, it typically applies to personal coverage only, as in NMG’s case, not to government-wide reporting.
- Content Distribution: Even restricted outlets still receive PPU press statements, photos, and public addresses through official channels, which for example, NMG-U has been receiving since the blockade.
The framework, according to State House, aims to maintain professional consistency, security, and accuracy while ensuring that Uganda’s media landscape remains open and competitive.
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