Journalists from NBS TV, NTV and Daily Monitor have been told to stay away from the NRM electoral commission offices tomorrow when President Museveni, collects nomination forms formalizing his bid for a seventh term as president and NRM chairman in the 2026 elections.
Sources told us that management of the news organisations had been informed by the top leadership of the NRM.
Addresing the media yesterday, Dr. Tanga Odoi, NRM Electoral Commission chairperson, said all media houses were welcome to cover the function apart from a few “who know themselves.”
Odoi confirmed Museveni’s intent, noting that the president had already paid Shs 40 million for the nominations.
The ban on NTV, NBS TV and Daily Monitor stems from the choatic Kawempe North by-elections in March were several journalists were roughed up by security elements. The three media organisations took a hard stance and withdrew their reporters from the field. Since then, they have been banned from covering functionc were the president is chief guest.
They did not cover the Martyrs’ Day celebrations in Namugongo, State of the Nation Address and the Budget speech at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. To cover some of these functions, NBS TV has been tapping the live feed of UBC TV while NTV has ignored them altogether.
Senior managers from the news orgnaisations have tried to meet Museveni to resolve the matter but they have not been successful.
Museveni’s long rule, enabled by constitutional amendments removing term and age limits, has drawn scrutiny for alleged human rights violations and electoral irregularities.
As Uganda gears up for 2026, analysts say the exclusion of key media outlets underscores tensions in the nation’s political landscape.
Ugandans need true reports,so barring the three media houses will mean some facts are hidden