The Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced plans to meet with media owners and managing directors next week. This follows a recent gathering organized by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), reportedly at his request.
Taking to X, Muhoozi expressed appreciation for State Minister for Children and Youth, Balaam Barugahara, and UCC Executive Director, Nyombi Thembo, for facilitating the meeting. The session, attended by officials from the Uganda Police Force and Uganda People’s Defense Forces, focused on media regulations and national security concerns.
“I thank Hon. Balaam and Hon. Nyombi Thembo for their great work. I will meet with some of the media owners and MDs next week. The cadre course begins in June,” Muhoozi posted on X.
Media Audit and Cadreship Training
Last week, Muhoozi declared his intention to audit all media houses, citing directives from the Commander-in-Chief. “My office will soon begin an audit on ALL media houses. These are the instructions of the Commander-in-Chief. All of you will report to my office from now,” he tweeted on February 23.
He also announced plans for a cadreship course for media executives, delegating its organization to Balaam, who serves as vice chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU). Initially dismissed by some as typical social media rhetoric, the proposal gained traction when UCC formally invited media owners and managers to a meeting aimed at addressing hate speech and its impact on national security.
During the Thursday meeting at UCC’s headquarters in Bugolobi, stakeholders resolved to hold the cadreship training at Kyankwanzi Leadership Training School. Balaam clarified that the training was a directive from the president, not the CDF, emphasizing its goal of instilling patriotism among media executives.
What initially seemed like an informal suggestion from Muhoozi has now materialized into official discussions. Given that security officials—rather than Muhoozi himself—led the UCC meeting, there is growing speculation that media managers and owners may eventually comply with the training requirement.
Implications for Press Freedom
With Uganda approaching the contentious 2026 general elections, concerns are emerging over the neutrality of media executives undergoing politically influenced training. The move has sparked debate over potential constraints on independent journalism.
Meanwhile, tensions between Muhoozi’s supporters and the Kenyan press have escalated. PLU has announced plans to stage a demonstration at the Kenyan High Commission in Uganda, protesting a recent article in Kenya’s The Standard newspaper, which referred to Muhoozi as a “four-star brat.”
Kasambya County MP David Kabanda, also PLU’s secretary general, confirmed the protest, stating, “PLU is going to hold an energetic demonstration at the Kenyan High Commission next Wednesday. They burnt our High Commission last year, and we did not respond. Now one of their newspapers has insulted our PLU CHAIRMAN—we will respond with full force.”
Muhoozi himself reacted strongly on X, warning critics against attacking him. “For those who think they can insult me and escape, they will learn that my supporters, in their millions, will defend me!” he tweeted.
Post a Comment