President Yoweri Museveni authorised the recent security operation at the Nation Media Group (NMG) premises as part of an ongoing security-led investigation, the Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Ms Justine Lumumba Kasule, has said.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, Ms Lumumba said the events that disrupted operations at Nation Media Group on June 28 were undertaken under a security inquiry instituted by the President.
“The events of 28th June 2026 that led to the disruption of operations at Nation Media Group were occasioned by a security-led inquiry instituted by His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda,” she said.
The operation temporarily disrupted activities at NMG outlets, including NTV Uganda, Spark TV and Daily Monitor, after security personnel deployed at the company’s premises following directives issued by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The deployment attracted widespread public attention, with concerns raised over the military presence at one of Uganda’s largest media organisations and its implications for media operations.
However, Ms Lumumba maintained that the operation formed part of an ongoing multi-agency investigation involving the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) of the Uganda Police Force, other security agencies and technical experts.
“The inquiry involves the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, the Criminal Investigations Directorate of the Uganda Police Force, other security agencies and experts,” she said.
She said the government would release further details once the investigation is completed.
Responding to concerns about the involvement of the UPDF in the operation, Ms Lumumba said the military acted within its legal mandate as part of Uganda’s national security architecture.
“Everything was done by officials with the blessing of their appointing authority, President Museveni. Let us wait until the security-led inquiry is completed,” she said.
The minister did not disclose the specific matters under investigation, saying it would be premature to comment before the security agencies conclude their work.
The June 28 operation led to the temporary suspension of activities at the Nation Media Group premises, prompting debate among journalists, civil society organisations and members of the public over the circumstances surrounding the deployment.
Government has maintained that the operation was part of a lawful security process and has urged the public to await the outcome of the ongoing inquiry before drawing conclusions.