Uganda's military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered the closure of two of the country's leading independent media outlets and said they would not reopen without his permission.
The measures affected the Daily Monitor, Uganda's largest independent daily newspaper, and NTV Uganda, one of its largest private broadcasters. Both are owned by Nation Media Group, a Kenya-based company listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange.
Kainerugaba publicly rejected the principle of a free press and said the media should be directed by what he called cadres of the revolution. He did not provide a specific explanation for the closures.
Military personnel were deployed at Nation Media Group's premises in Kampala, where staff were prevented from entering or leaving. NTV Uganda and other television and radio services operated by the company in the country were also off air on Sunday morning.
Kainerugaba is the son of President Yoweri Museveni and has been discussed as a possible successor to him. He has repeatedly drawn attention for confrontational social media statements, including threats against opposition leader Bobi Wine.
The shutdown adds to a history of government action against the Daily Monitor. In 2013, Museveni's administration closed the newspaper for ten days after it published reports concerning the presidential succession.
The latest intervention places Uganda's media environment under renewed pressure and gives the country's military leadership a direct role in deciding whether major independent news organisations may operate.
