Ugandan MP denies Gachagua’s claims linking Ruto to closure of NTV and Daily Monitor
By Aloys Michael, July 2, 2026A Ugandan Member of Parliament (MP) has rejected claims made by Kenya’s former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua linking Kenyan President William Ruto to the claimed closure of major Ugandan media houses, including NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor.
The Thursday, July 2, 2026, response came from Kasambya County MP Daudi Kabanda, who serves as the Executive Secretary in the Office of the National Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), an organisation associated with Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba and President Yoweri Museveni.
Kabanda dismissed Gachagua’s claims as politically motivated and lacking understanding of Uganda’s governance structures.
“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 Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s decisions are guided by our Constitution and laws, not by individuals,” Kabanda wrote on X.
He emphasised that Uganda’s state actions cannot be influenced by external political relationships or personal ties between leaders in the region.
Kabanda further urged Gachagua to retract his statements and avoid interfering in Uganda’s domestic affairs.
“Gachagua should withdraw his statements against President Museveni and the CDF and focus on Kenya’s politics,” he added.
The controversy follows remarks by Gachagua, who condemned the reported shutdown of media outlets in Uganda, including NTV Uganda, Spark TV, and Daily Monitor.
In his statement, Gachagua accused Uganda’s military leadership of targeting independent journalism.
“I strongly condemn the closure of NTV Uganda, Spark TV and Daily Monitor by Uganda’s military chief, General Muhoozi, who is the son of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” Gachagua said.
He went further to suggest that President Ruto’s close diplomatic and personal ties with President Museveni and General Muhoozi Kainerugaba placed him within the broader context of the media crackdown claims.
“He (Museveni) is a close confidant of William Ruto, and by association, Ruto is part and parcel of this shutdown,” Gachagua claimed, without presenting evidence.
The remarks have intensified political tensions across the East African region, with growing debate over media freedom and government influence in the press.
The shutdown followed directives linked to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, which accused the media house operating under NMG of biased reporting against the government.
Kabanda maintains that state decisions remain grounded in law, while urging Kenyan leaders to refrain from making unverified claims about Uganda’s internal affairs.