The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) has strongly condemned the reported military raid on the premises of Nation Media Group Uganda and the subsequent disruption of its operations, describing the incident as a serious attack on media freedom, freedom of expression, and democratic governance.
In a written statement, KEG expressed concern over reports that military personnel were deployed to the media house following public orders attributed to Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The Guild warned that the closure or disruption of a media organization through military force sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law and weakens the public’s constitutional right to access independent information.
According to KEG, any grievances against a media organization should be addressed through established legal and regulatory mechanisms rather than through force or intimidation.
The Guild said the use or threat of military power to silence journalists or shut down news organizations constitutes an unacceptable overreach that has no place in a society governed by law.
Solidarity with Journalists and Media Workers
The Guild expressed solidarity with Nation Media Group Uganda’s editors, journalists, broadcasters, photographers, camera crews, and other media professionals whose work was reportedly disrupted by the operation.
KEG emphasized that media freedom is not a privilege granted by those in power but a fundamental democratic right protected by national constitutions and international human rights instruments.
These include Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, all of which safeguard freedom of expression and the public’s right to seek, receive, and impart information without interference.
Call for Due Process and Regional Action
The Guild urged Ugandan authorities to immediately restore access to the affected media premises, uphold due process, respect judicial mechanisms, and guarantee the safety and independence of journalists carrying out their professional duties.
KEG further called on regional and international bodies, including the East African Community, the African Union, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the wider international community, to remain vigilant and speak out against actions that threaten independent journalism and democratic accountability.
KEG President Zubeidah Kananu noted that attacks on journalists and media institutions in one country resonate across borders, affecting the broader struggle for press freedom. The Guild reiterated that a free press remains indispensable to democracy and must be protected rather than persecuted.
