In a media briefing on Monday, June 29, 2026, FDC Deputy President Margaret Wokuri Madanda said the shutdown was carried out without following legal procedures. “This is a military coup against the free press carried out in plain sight, without shame, and with the approval of the President of this country,” Madanda said. She added that the closure of the media outlets was part of what the party described as a wider pattern of actions against government critics and opposition members.
“The closure of NMG outlets is the latest in a sustained pattern of abductions, torture, illegal detentions, and targeted harassment of government critics and opposition members carried out primarily by the Army,” she said in a prepared statement. The FDC said no court order had been presented to justify the closure and questioned the role of state institutions responsible for regulating and enforcing the law.
“No court order has been produced. No due legal process has been followed. No official statement has been issued by the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, and to make matters worse is that the would-be regulator, i.e., the Uganda Communications Commission, has been rendered spectators,” Madanda said.
The party also announced plans to convene dialogue with opposition political parties, civil society organisations and other democratic actors, saying the current political situation requires a coordinated response. “The FDC wishes to remind Ugandans that the party had already committed to a course of action before these latest events unfolded. The FDC resolved to convene a dialogue of all opposition political parties in Uganda to speak with one voice, to coordinate a unified response, and to pursue every available means set out by the Constitution to end this dictatorship and restore democratic governance to our country,” the statement said.
The party named a committee chaired by Centenary Robert to coordinate the dialogue. Other members include Mukalazi Kibuka, Kaps Fungaroo Hassan, Joan Alobo Acom, Onekalit Amere Danis, Okwera Moses Mugisha, Ajuna Daka and Mr. Ongom Emmanuel. The FDC also announced changes to its National Executive Committee, filling vacancies that arose after the departure of former members.
The new appointees include Hon. Kasozi Ibrahim as Deputy President Buganda, Akello Franka as Vice Chairperson Northern Uganda, Ssaazi Marlik as Secretary for Works, Miss Lalam Lillian as Deputy Secretary for Works, and Kalija Kats as Deputy Secretary General for Research and Policy-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
