Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the head of Uganda’s military and son of President Yoweri Museveni, has said that he does not believe in a free press in Uganda.

Mr Kainerugaba made the statement in an X post on Sunday, shortly after announcing the shutdown of NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor, two media outlets owned by Nation Media Group Uganda.

“In Uganda, I do not believe in a free press! The press should be guided by cadres of the revolution. NTV and Monitor are being shut down from today!”, he wrote on his X page.

He said the two media outlets would not reopen without his permission, adding that all media organisations in the country must follow the rules.

“I have the power in Uganda to shut down any media house I want to. I have had this power since 2017. This power was given to me by my great father, President @KagutaMuseveni. NTV and Daily Monitor are learning about it today.

“I hear both NTV and Daily Monitor are losing $5 million a day from my closure. That’s good news for me,” he said.

Mr Kainerugaba later said the two outlets had been permanently shut down, warning that more media organisations could face similar action.

“NTV and Daily Monitor are closed for good! The closure of NTV and Monitor is just the beginning. We are going to arrest many more,” the president’s son said.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Nation Media Group Uganda informed readers, viewers, listeners and stakeholders that its premises in Namuwongo and at the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre had become inaccessible following an overnight military raid.

“The raid, carried out at about 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 28, resulted in electricity disconnection and disruption of normal operations across our platforms on radio, TV and newspapers,” its memo read.

The media company added that although its offices remained closed, it would continue serving audiences through its digital platforms.

Mr Museveni was declared the winner of January’s poll, extending his 40-year grip on power for another five years.

According to the electoral commission, chaired by Simon Byabakama, Mr Museveni secured 72 per cent of the votes, while his main challenger, Bobi Wine, polled 25 per cent.