Was this story published by Daily Monitor on May 21, 2025 against Parliament, a ‘Chemical’?
BY MOSES MUGALULA
A WAR said to have been started by Namuwongo based Daily Monitor and it’s sister media house NTV Uganda against the ruling government in Uganda has deepened!
Few hours after National Media Group, Mother company to Daily Monitor, NTV, Spark tv, 93.3 fm and Dembe radio station released a tough statement protesting a decision to block their journalists from covering the Parliament of Uganda on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 and a months-long blockage from covering the President of Uganda, Mr. Faruk Kirunda, the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilization has shot back!
In his response, Haji Kirunda says, “To set the record straight: H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni stopped NMG (parent company of DailyMonitor, ntvuganda, 933kfm, etc) from covering him as an individual- after persistent instances of misreporting on him.”
HEAD OF STATE: Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
Kirunda reveals that, one such instance was at Kisozi when Mr. Museveni hosted MPs on a Wealth Creation tour.
“NMG management is aware of these problematic instances, which were brought to their attention. But the President didn’t stop NMG from working in Uganda or covering other Government institutions. Moreover, as PPU, we provide press releases and appreciate their use.” Reads, Mr. Kirunda’s response.
He noted that, President Museveni cannot infringe on Constitutional provisions (on free media) when he was the one who oversaw the return to Constitutionalism and rule of law in Uganda, and is the most media-friendly person.
A day President Museveni had an engagement with journalists in Mukono
On many incidences, President Museveni has been branding Daily Monitor, ‘Enemy paper’, saying it is working for those fighting and sabotaging his government.
WE WILL NOT BE THREATENED – NMG TOUGH STATEMENT
Bellow is a full statement from Nation Media Group (NMG) signed by Ms. Suzan Nsibirwa, Managing Director:
The National Media Group-Uganda has, with deep concern noted the decision to block our journalists from covering the Parliament of Uganda on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
This decision follows a months-long blockage on our journalists from covering the President of Uganda.
Photo: President Museveni arriving for a campaign rally. NMG banned from covering him over what State House calls, misrepresentation of facts against the Head of State
There has been no formal communication to explain this blockade. We have not been informed of any contraventions that we or our journalists might have committed and have therefore been denied the right of reply or due process.
Today’s Page 1 lead story by The Daily Monitor
These rights are not favours. They are enshrined in the 1995 Constitution of Uganda which was enacted 30 years ago this month and are at the heart of the rule of law and good manners upon which free and democratic societies are built.
In addition, The Presidency and Parliament are public institutions funded by taxpayers and accountable to the citizens.
Denying coverage and access to independent media violates the letter and spirit of constitution of Uganda which guarantees freedom of the Press, media and expression. It also denied citizens to know what their elected leaders are doing in their name, undermining accountability, transparency and good governance.
Despite the blockade from the Presidency since March 2025, we have remained committed to our cardinal role of serving the public through journalism that informs, educates and entertains. We have therefore not stopped covering the President.
We also noted that our journalists have been the target of repression and violence, as shown, most recently in the Kawempe North Parliamentary byelection in March 2025 and the current presidential elections.
The latest decision by Parliament therefore, compounds what seems to be a growing cancer of intolerance and restriction on media freedom which we condemn in the strongest terms, possible. Independent media like ours seeks to hold those in power accountable to citizens, following taxpayers money, reporting on human rights and the country’s democracy.
PRINCIPALS OF THE AUGUST HOUSE: Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa
Playing a watchdog role across government ministries, departments and agencies is part of that mandate.We therefore reiterate that;
• We shall not abdicate our responsibility to do bold and thoughtful journalism and to hold those in power accountable.
• We shall continue to defend media freedoms and the bill of rights guaranteed by our constitution and underpin our constitutional order.
• Lastly, we implore the Presidency and Parliament to hid to the Constitution of Uganda and which provides for the right to access information which is vital for our journalists to do their work. We should always remember that democracy dies in the darkness.
This is a developing story! For views/comments, Whatsapp editor on 0701523039
