A top American senator has called on the United States government to rethink its security relationship with Uganda following the recent closure of major independent media outlets by the country's military chief.
Senator Jim Risch, who chairs the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Uganda was becoming an 'unfit partner' after General Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered the shuttering of leading media houses over the weekend .
The drama began when Gen Muhoozi, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, took to social media to announce the closure of NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor newspaper, both owned by the Nation Media Group.
In a series of posts on X, the army chief made it clear he does not believe in a free press, saying the media should be guided by "cadres of the revolution" . He went further to declare that he has had the power to shut down any media house since 2017, a power he said was given to him by his father, the president .
The situation on the ground was tense as armed military personnel were deployed to the media houses' premises in Kampala, locking out staff and taking broadcasters off air .
Viewers were met with blank screens, and workers were prevented from entering or leaving the compounds . The Uganda National Broadcasters Association quickly raised its concerns, declaring the action a violation of the Ugandan constitution .
Senator Risch responded firmly to the developments, stating that the attacks on free speech make Gen Muhoozi and the Uganda People's Defence Force unfit partners for the United States.
He argued that America should only work with those who advance regional security, not diminish it . This is not the first time the senator has raised concerns about Uganda, having previously criticised the country's elections as a "hollow exercise" aimed at legitimising President Museveni's long grip on power .
His latest statement puts pressure on the Trump administration to reassess its security partnership with Kampala, a key ally in the volatile East African region.
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