General Muhoozi after meeting NMG investor Rostam Aziz
A fresh dimension has emerged in the debate surrounding the reported closure and possible reopening of Nation Media Group (NMG) operations in Uganda, after prominent lawyer Eron Kiiza sharply questioned the government’s stance on media coverage.
Kiiza’s remarks come in response to statements by Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) spokesperson Andrew Mwenda, who indicated that authorities had set conditions for NMG’s reopening following a high-level meeting involving Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba and businessman Rostam Aziz.
In his response, Kiiza raised concerns over the role of the military leadership in matters involving civilian governance and media regulation.
“Why is the CDF speaking for the government?” Kiiza posed, questioning the basis upon which General Muhoozi has taken a central role in discussions about media operations.
The lawyer further pushed back against claims that media houses should tone down negative reporting about the government, arguing that such expectations contradict the core principles of journalism.
“Who tells those complaining that media should avoid negative news about government?” he asked.
Kiiza maintained that media freedom inherently includes the responsibility to report critically on those in power, especially where public interest is involved.
He emphasized that journalists are not obligated to dilute negative stories to create an appearance of balance.
“Media freedom entails reporting negative news, and media houses have a duty to tell the truth,” Kiiza stated.
“They have no responsibility to spice negative stories with cosmetic positivity in the guise of balance.”