Kampala, Uganda: Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda has announced it has resumed operations after a month-long shutdown that disrupted one of East Africa’s largest independent media organisations, bringing back its television, radio, print and digital platforms following weeks of negotiations between the company and Ugandan authorities.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 28, NMG Chairman Joe Muganda announced that the company’s services would be restored progressively as operational arrangements are finalized.
“Nation Media Group Uganda is pleased to announce the resumption of its operations. Our services across television, print, radio and digital will be restored progressively as we complete the necessary operational arrangements,” Muganda said.
The company thanked its audiences, clients and business partners for their patience throughout the shutdown, while reaffirming its commitment to independent journalism.
“We appreciate the patience and understanding shown by our audiences, clients and partners during this period and appreciate your continued trust and confidence in our brands,” Muganda added. “As we return to serving you, our focus remains the delivery of trusted and balanced journalism across all our platforms.”
The announcement effectively ends a 30-day disruption that saw several of Uganda’s leading media outlets go off air and cease normal print operations following a security operation at the company’s facilities in Kampala.
Taifa Group, the majority shareholder of Nation Media Group (NMG), said it remains committed to responsible investment, corporate governance and sustainable development across the region.
Group Chairman Mr Rostam Azizi expressed appreciation to President Museveni for authorising the resumption of operations and thanked Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for his support during engagements that led to the decision.
“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,” Mr Azizi said.
He said Taifa Group supports NMG’s commitment to fair, balanced, independent and responsible journalism, adding that a strong media sector plays an important role in promoting national development, good governance and regional cooperation.
“This decision demonstrates the value of dialogue, mutual respect and regional cooperation. Taifa Group will continue investing in opportunities that create jobs, strengthen institutions and advance shared prosperity across East Africa,” he said.
A month-long shutdown
The closure began in the early hours of June 28, 2026, when security personnel were deployed at Nation Media Group Uganda’s headquarters in Namuwongo and its broadcast facilities at the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre, preventing staff from accessing the premises and interrupting television, radio and newspaper production.
The operation affected several flagship brands, including NTV Uganda, Daily Monitor, Spark TV, KFM, Dembe FM, The EastAfrican, Nation Courier and Ennyanda. While television, radio and print operations stopped, the company initially continued publishing news through its digital platforms.
The shutdown followed a series of public posts on X by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who announced that NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor had been closed and would not resume operations without his approval.
Days later, ICT and National Guidance Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba said the disruption resulted from a security-led inquiry ordered by President Yoweri Museveni, involving the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), other security agencies and technical experts.
High-level negotiations
Throughout July, Nation Media Group engaged in a series of high-level meetings aimed at resolving the standoff.
Among the key engagements was a meeting between Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and representatives of NMG’s new majority shareholder, Rostam Aziz, at the Special Forces Command headquarters in Entebbe. According to official accounts, discussions focused on concerns about the company’s editorial coverage and possible pathways toward reopening the affected outlets.
Senior executives from the Kenya-based parent company, including Group Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Odundo and Group Editor-in-Chief Joe Ageyo, also travelled to Kampala to lead discussions with government officials and oversee internal consultations with staff.
During the negotiations, NMG temporarily suspended even its digital publishing operations to avoid jeopardising the ongoing engagements with authorities, leaving all of its Ugandan platforms offline for a period.
Fresh momentum towards reopening emerged this week after Geoffrey Odundo met Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director George William Nyombi Thembo, a development widely viewed as the final step before the company’s return to normal operations.
Tuesday’s announcement confirms that Nation Media Group Uganda will gradually restore services across its broadcast, print and digital platforms as remaining operational arrangements are completed.
The company reiterated that its editorial focus remains the delivery of trusted and balanced journalism across all its brands.
The month-long closure drew widespread attention both locally and internationally, with media freedom organisations, regional stakeholders and diplomatic actors closely monitoring developments as negotiations continued.
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