NMG-U set to return after month-long shutdown

What the report says

Sqoop Uganda reports that Nation Media Group Uganda is preparing to restart operations after a shutdown lasting about a month that affected its television, radio, print and digital outlets. The company and its majority shareholder, Tanzania’s Taifa Group, issued separate statements on Tuesday indicating that services would return gradually, though no exact timetable was given for full restoration.

According to the report, NMG Chairman Joe Muganda said the group’s platforms across TV, print, radio and digital would be brought back in phases as operational arrangements are completed. Taifa Group, which Sqoop says acquired a 54.08% controlling stake in NMG earlier this year through Taifa Limited, welcomed the development and said it supported the company’s commitment to independent and responsible journalism.

Sqoop says the disruption began after security personnel entered NMG Uganda’s Namuwongo headquarters and the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre shortly after midnight on June 28. The operation took NTV Uganda and Spark TV off air and disrupted the Daily Monitor, The EastAfrican, KFM, Dembe FM, sQoop and other digital platforms, while staff were reportedly kept from the affected premises for weeks. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba later said the action followed President Yoweri Museveni’s guidance and accused the media house of acting against government interests, allegations reported by Sqoop and not independently verified here.

The outlet says negotiations involved Museveni, Gen Muhoozi and Taifa Group chairman Rostam Aziz, including meetings in Entebbe and at State House. Media freedom groups criticised the shutdown and called for press freedom protections. Sqoop notes that neither NMG nor government officials have publicly stated whether any conditions were attached to the reopening.