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son of President Yoweri Museveni has drawn sharp criticism from press freedom advocates after posting a series of inflammatory messages on social media targeting independent journalists.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, commander of Uganda’s People’s Defence Forces, used his now-deleted Twitter account to issue warnings against reporters from the Daily Monitor, one of Uganda’s most prominent independent newspapers. In the posts, he described critical journalists as “terrorists” and vowed to “crush” those he accused of persistently “abusing” him and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
The statements have raised serious concerns among international media watchdogs, including Reporters Without Borders, which documented the incident as part of ongoing monitoring of threats against press freedom in East Africa. Critics argue that such rhetoric from a high-ranking military figure creates a chilling environment for investigative journalism and undermines constitutional protections for free expression.
The Daily Monitor has a long history of reporting critically on government affairs, and its staff have previously faced legal challenges and intimidation. Press freedom organizations emphasize that holding public officials accountable through journalism is not abuse—but a fundamental democratic function.
While the contested social media posts were later removed, the incident underscores persistent tensions between Uganda’s security establishment and independent media outlets. Legal experts and human rights groups continue to call for clear boundaries between legitimate criticism and unlawful threats, urging authorities to uphold commitments to media freedom enshrined in both national law and international agreements.
