Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has triggered intense public debate after issuing a directive on X ordering police patrol units to arrest Nation Media Group Uganda Managing Director Susan Nsibirwa on sight.
The order came just hours after security forces reportedly shut down several Nation Media Group outlets in Uganda, including NTV Uganda and Spark TV.
In a post that quickly spread online, Muhoozi instructed:
“All police patrols are instructed to arrest her on sight.”
He accused the media houses of “causing chaos,” and further escalated controversy by referring to Nsibirwa as a “small girl” who needed “discipline” remarks that drew immediate criticism across social media platforms.
Nsibirwa, the Managing Director of Nation Media Group Uganda operations, was explicitly identified in the directive, intensifying concerns about the use of social media to issue security instructions.
Legal observers and media stakeholders raised questions about due process, institutional procedure, and the implications of publicly naming individuals in enforcement directives.
Shortly after the post gained traction, reports indicated that Muhoozi suspended the arrest order following a request for intervention by former BBC journalist Allan Kasujja.
The reversal highlighted the informal and fast-moving nature of the initial directive, which had already sparked widespread attention across political and media circles.
Reactions online were sharply split. Critics condemned the directive as an attack on press freedom and a targeted personal escalation against a female media executive. Supporters, however, defended Muhoozi’s actions as a response to what they described as media provocation.
The incident adds to ongoing tensions between Ugandan authorities and independent media institutions amid a politically sensitive environment.
As of publication, there is no confirmation that Nsibirwa has been arrested or charged. Neither the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), nor the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) had issued an official statement regarding the directive or any legal basis for action against Nation Media Group outlets.
Nation Media Group Uganda operates major media platforms including NTV Uganda, Spark TV, Daily Monitor, KFM, and Dembe FM, collectively employing hundreds of staff across the country.
