Residents and small business operators around Nation Media Group (NMG) offices in Namuwongo have described scenes of fear and uncertainty after armed soldiers mounted an overnight operation that shut down the Daily Monitor newspaper, KFM and Dembe FM.
The same operation also targeted the group’s television stations, forcing NTV Uganda and Spark TV, which broadcast from Serena Hotel in Kampala, off air.
According to eyewitnesses, the military deployment at Daily Monitor began shortly after midnight on Sunday, hours after the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, publicly ordered the closure of the media outlets. By daybreak, soldiers had sealed off access to the premises, disrupting business activities and restricting movement around the area.
Many traders operating near Wabigalo Community Centre, adjacent to the daily Monitor offices, were hesitant to speak about the incident. One resident, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, said he saw dozens of soldiers entering the premises shortly before midnight.
“They were many. When we saw them, we decided to leave and go home because it was already late,” he said. When he returned on Sunday morning, he found the newspaper offices closed and heavily guarded by armed soldiers.
Karim Bwayo, who sells chapatis and snacks near the Monitor offices, said he did not witness the deployment because he had already gone home. However, he found the area under tight security when he returned to work at about 5:30am.
According to Bwayo, soldiers had blocked Namuwongo Road from the Vivo Energy gate to the junction near TotalEnergies headquarters. Both motorists and pedestrians were turned away and directed to use alternative routes-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
