The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) strongly condemns the reported invasion of the premises of Nation Media Group Uganda by military personnel and the disruption of the operations of the media house as ‘a serious assault on the freedoms of the media, freedom of expression and the rule of law’.

In a press statement posted on their X handle on Monday, June 29, 2026, the Editors’ Guild voiced concerns about the raids on the premises of the media organisation after the army was deployed to the building following orders from Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

“The Kenya Editors Guild strongly condemns the reported military raid on the premises of Nation Media Group Uganda and the subsequent disruption of its operations following public orders attributed to Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.” The Kenya Editors Guild statement read in part.

Military operations against a media outlet, the editors’ body said, establish a precedent that threatens democratic governance and is detrimental to the public’s right to access independent information under the constitution.

“The reported closure of a media house through the deployment of military force represents a grave affront to media freedom, freedom of expression, and the rule of law. It sets a dangerous precedent that undermines democratic governance and weakens the public’s constitutional right to access independent information,” the statement added.

“Any complaints raised against a media company, regardless of the strength of the complaint, shall be directed through the legal and regulatory channels. Any use or threat to use military force to silence journalists or close news media outlets is an unacceptable overreach in a law-governed society,” the statement further read.

The Kenya Editors Guild has condemned the raid, saying it was an unprecedented assault on journalists, photographers, broadcasters, camera crews and all those in the media who are employees of Nation Media Group Uganda.

The Guild pointed out that attacks on journalists and media organisations are not limited to particular newsrooms, citing their impact on citizens’ access to accurate and independent information.

It spelt out that media freedom is not a concession given by any government but a fundamental people’s right guaranteed under national constitutions and international human rights documents, particularly 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.

Call for rule of law

KEG appealed to the Ugandan government to immediately have access to the affected media premises, respect due process, respect judicial processes, and ensure the safety and independence of journalists while doing their job.

The Guild also cautioned that threats against media freedom in any country around the world have an impact on media freedom in all countries, making a reminder that press organisations being silenced compromises democracy’s accountability.

It further urged regional and international institutions such as the East African Community, the African Union, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the international community to be watchful and condemn moves that pose threats to independent journalism.

Freedom of the press

The Kenya Editors Guild restated that a free and independent press is essential to democracy and the protection of citizens’ rights.

The intimidation of journalists and closure of media houses has undermined public confidence, the Guild said, adding that there is a need to strengthen democratic institutions and not persecute a free press.