Uganda responds after Gachagua drags Ruto into NMG shutdown row
The Patriotic League of Uganda has dismissed Rigathi Gachagua’s claims that President William Ruto played a role in the shutdown of Nation Media Group outlets in Uganda, insisting the country’s decisions are made independently under the law.
Uganda has pushed back against claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that President William Ruto was connected to the shutdown of Nation Media Group (NMG) outlets in the country.
The remarks come after Gachagua criticised the closure of NTV Uganda, Spark TV and the Daily Monitor, arguing that Ruto should share responsibility because of his close relationship with Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Responding on Thursday, July 2, Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Executive Secretary and Kasambya MP Daudi Kabanda dismissed the allegations, saying Uganda’s leadership makes decisions based on its Constitution and laws.
“We note remarks by former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua linking President William Ruto to the closure of NMG. While President Ruto is a close confidant of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s decisions are guided by our constitution and laws not by individuals,” he wrote.
Kabanda also called on Gachagua to retract his remarks and concentrate on political matters in Kenya.
“Gachagua should withdraw his statements against President Yoweri Museveni and the CDF and focus on Kenya’s politics,” he concluded.
Gachagua had earlier condemned the media shutdown during a press briefing, claiming Ruto’s relationship with Muhoozi meant the Kenyan President could not be separated from the developments.
“I strongly condemn the closure of NTV Uganda, Spark TV, and Daily Monitor by Uganda’s military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is the son of Kaguta Museveni. He is a close confidant of Ruto, and by association, Ruto is part and parcel of this shutdown,” he said.
He went on to argue that governments should confront governance failures instead of targeting the media.
“The problem is not the media, it is fake promises, failure, lies, a failing economy, failed systems, poor service delivery, corruption, abuse of the rule of law, abductions, extra-judicial killings, and total failure of government,” he added.
The political exchange comes just days after the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) confirmed it had begun consultations with government stakeholders following the suspension of several Nation Media Group outlets.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 29, the communications regulator acknowledged the disruption that forced several television and radio stations off air.
“The Uganda Communications Commission has noted the circumstances that have led to the Nation Media Groups outlets, including NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Dembe FM, and KFM, going off air,” the statement read.
The commission said it was working with relevant government agencies to establish the facts before determining the next steps.
“Consultations have begun with the relevant government stakeholders to obtain verified information. The Commission urges the public to remain calm and allow these consultations to proceed,” the statement added.
The developments follow Sunday’s security operation in which Ugandan soldiers surrounded the premises of NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor after a shutdown order by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The operation reportedly began shortly after midnight, with soldiers blocking journalists from entering or leaving the affected media houses as uncertainty over the broadcasters’ future continued.
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