By Ben Musanje
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has condemned what it described as the “illegal military shutdown” of several Nation Media Group (NMG) media platforms in Uganda, warning that the move represents a dangerous escalation in restrictions on press freedom and constitutional governance.
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi on Monday, Deputy President Hon. Margaret Wakuri Madanda led the briefing, delivering a strongly worded statement in which she accused security forces of occupying media premises without court authorization or due legal process.
Madanda said the alleged closure of media outlets under the Nation Media Group portfolio marked a “serious assault on democratic freedoms,” and urged Ugandans and political actors to treat the matter as a national emergency requiring coordinated response.
Among the affected outlets named by the party were NTV Uganda, Daily Monitor, KFM Uganda, Spark TV, Dembe FM, Ennyanda, and Nation Courier. The party alleged that military personnel remained stationed at the premises, restricting normal operations.
Standing before reporters, Madanda said the FDC was “deeply alarmed” that no court order had been produced to justify the reported shutdown, nor had any official explanation been issued by the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, or the Uganda Communications Commission.
“This is not regulation; this is not law enforcement,” Madanda said. “This is the use of military power in a manner that bypasses constitutional safeguards, due process, and institutional accountability. It is an attack not only on media houses, but on the right of every Ugandan to know.”
She further described the situation as part of what the party considers a widening pattern of repression targeting independent voices, including journalists, opposition figures, lawyers, and civil society actors. According to Madanda, the reported shutdown of major media platforms signals “a chilling expansion of state control over information space.”
The Deputy President also referenced Article 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, which places a duty on citizens to defend the constitutional order against its overthrow. She argued that sustained actions against media independence and civic freedoms amounted to a violation of that constitutional obligation.
“When institutions that are meant to regulate are silent, and when law enforcement acts outside the law, then citizens must ask themselves what remains of the constitutional order we are supposed to defend,” she said.
Madanda’s address also emphasized that the alleged media shutdown cannot be viewed in isolation, linking it to what she described as a broader environment of intimidation, including reports of arbitrary detentions and harassment of government critics. She urged both national and international stakeholders to closely monitor developments.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, she said the FDC had already resolved prior to the incident to pursue a structured political response through dialogue among opposition parties. According to her, the latest developments only reinforce the urgency of that decision.
Opposition Unity Initiative
Madanda announced that the FDC would convene a formal opposition dialogue aimed at unifying political parties into a coordinated platform capable of articulating a joint response to governance and constitutional concerns.
She said the initiative is intended to move the opposition from “fragmented reaction to structured engagement,” particularly in addressing what the party views as systematic weakening of independent institutions.
The proposed coordination committee will be chaired by Hon. Robert Centenary and includes Hon. Hassan Kaps Fungaroo, Hon. Joan Alobo Acom, Hon. Moses Mugisha Okwera, Hon. Denis Onekalit Amere, Mr. Ajuna Daka, Mr. Emmanuel Ongom, and Mr. Mukalazi Kibuuka.
Madanda said the committee will oversee consultations with opposition parties, civil society organizations, and professional bodies to develop a shared political position on governance, civil liberties, and constitutional reform.
“We are calling for unity not as a political slogan, but as a necessity born out of current realities,” she said. “No single political actor can effectively respond to the scale of institutional breakdown we are witnessing.”
She added that the planned dialogue would proceed regardless of political pressure or developments on the ground, insisting that constitutional means remain the only legitimate path forward.
Broader Political Context
The FDC’s remarks come amid rising political tensions and heightened scrutiny of media freedom and civic space in Uganda. However, as of publication, there had been no official response from government spokespersons, security agencies, or regulatory authorities regarding the allegations of media shutdown.
Madanda concluded her address by calling for restraint, vigilance, and coordinated constitutional action.
“The time for watching is over,” she said. “The time for acting together—within the full force of the Constitution—is now.” (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
