The Kenya-based media company said Tuesday it has reopened its newspapers, TV channels and radio stations in Uganda after being shut down in late June on orders from Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s military chief and son of President Yoweri Museveni.
The closure hit NMG’s Daily Monitor newspaper and NTV Uganda, with no official reason given at the time. It sparked fresh concern abroad about press freedom in Uganda, where Museveni has been in power for 40 years.
The company said the reopening came after talks between NMG majority shareholder, Tanzanian businessman Rostam Azizi, and Kainerugaba.
“I wish to express my sincere gratitude to President Museveni for this important decision, and to General Kainerugaba for his support throughout the engagement that led to this positive outcome,” Azizi said in a statement. He did not say why the government reversed the order.
Uganda military spokesperson Chris Magezi had not commented by press time.
Kainerugaba is widely viewed as a possible successor to his father. He has drawn attention for blunt social media posts, including past threats against opposition leader Bobi Wine.
This is not the first clash between NMG and the Ugandan government. The Daily Monitor was shut for 10 days in 2013 over coverage of presidential succession.
