By Ben Musanje
Uganda’s media sector has called for the immediate reopening of Nation Media Group (Uganda) outlets and the release of journalist Timothy Kalyegira following a weekend crackdown that has sparked concern over press freedom.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Uganda Media Sector Working Group (UMSWG) described the closure of all Nation Media Group (Uganda) publishing and broadcasting platforms on June 28 as unprecedented and warned that the move, alongside the prosecution of Kalyegira, could have a chilling effect on media freedom and citizens’ right to free expression.
The coalition, which brings together stakeholders from across Uganda’s media sector, said Kalyegira was arraigned in court on June 29 after reportedly being missing for several days. It noted that the charges against the journalist relate to offences allegedly committed over a 13-year period.
UMSWG called for the immediate reopening of Nation Media Group (Uganda) outlets, the release of Kalyegira, and a return to dialogue between the State and media stakeholders. It argued that any disagreements should be addressed through mechanisms provided under the Press and Journalist Act and the Uganda Communications Act.
The group further said its platform remained available to facilitate engagement between the government, journalists and media houses in an effort to resolve differences through dialogue.
The statement came hours after the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance confirmed that the disruption of Nation Media Group operations stemmed from a security-led inquiry ordered by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
In a separate statement, ICT and National Guidance Minister Justine Lumumba Kasule said the inquiry involved the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) of the Uganda Police Force, other security agencies and technical experts.
The minister and also government spokesperson explained that the events of June 28, which disrupted operations at Nation Media Group, were the result of the security-led inquiry instituted by the President. She added that the government would update the public once the inquiry had been concluded.
The government did not disclose the specific reasons for the inquiry or the nature of the investigations.
The closure of Nation Media Group (Uganda) outlets and the prosecution of Kalyegira have intensified debate over the balance between national security and media freedom, with journalists and civil society groups calling for greater transparency, due process and a swift resolution to the matter.
As of Tuesday, the government had not indicated when the affected media platforms would be allowed to resume operations. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
