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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially authorized the full resumption of Nation Media Group’s (NMG) operations in Uganda.
The landmark announcement was made on Tuesday, 28th July 2026, by Dar es Salaam-based conglomerate Taifa Group, which holds the majority controlling stake in Nation Media Group through its subsidiary, Taarifa Limited.
The executive authorization marks the end of a month-long shutdown of NMG Uganda’s broadcast and print platforms—including NTV Uganda, Spark TV, KFM, Dembe FM, and the Daily Monitor—following high-level diplomatic and corporate engagements between Tanzanian billionaire investor Rostam Azizi and Ugandan leadership.
Why did President Museveni authorize Nation Media Group to resume operations in Uganda?
President Yoweri Museveni granted authorization following weeks of constructive dialogue between the Ugandan government, the military leadership, and Taifa Group executives.
The security-led shutdown, which began in late June 2026, saw armed personnel halt NMG’s broadcast channels and print operations over regulatory and reporting concerns. However, high-level diplomatic interventions led by Taifa Group Chairman Mr. Rostam Azizi—who personally traveled to Entebbe to meet with Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Muhoozi Kainerugaba and President Museveni—paved the way for a mutually agreed resolution focused on responsible, balanced, and constructive journalism.
What did Taifa Group Chairman Rostam Azizi say about President Museveni and Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba?
Expressing deep appreciation for the outcome, Taifa Group Chairman Mr. Rostam Azizi commended both President Museveni and General Muhoozi Kainerugaba for engaging in constructive dialogue that restored cross-border investor confidence.
In an official statement issued from Dar es Salaam, Mr. Azizi stated:
“I wish to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for this important decision, and to General Muhoozi Kainerugaba for his support throughout the engagement that led to this positive outcome.”
Highlighting Taifa Group’s vision as NMG’s majority shareholder, Azizi reiterated the group’s firm backing of ethical media practices and regional development:
“We are honoured by this decision and remain steadfast in our commitment to Uganda’s socio-economic development through responsible investment, long-term partnerships and sustainable value creation.”
“As the majority shareholder of Nation Media Group, we fully support the Group’s commitment to fair, balanced, independent and responsible journalism that informs, educates and contributes positively to public discourse. We share the Group’s core mission of positively influencing society and believe that a strong, professional and responsible media plays an important role in supporting national development, good governance and regional integration.”
“This decision demonstrates the value of dialogue, mutual respect and regional cooperation. Taifa Group will continue investing in opportunities that create jobs, strengthen institutions and advance shared prosperity across East Africa.”
What are Nation Media Group’s immediate plans following the reopening in Uganda?
Nation Media Group PLC Chairman, Mr. Joe Muganda, confirmed that the company’s immediate operational focus is rebuilding its footprint, reconnecting with audiences, and restoring local content across its print, television, radio, and digital channels.
Outlining the group’s roadmap for recovery, Mr. Muganda noted:
“We welcome the opportunity to resume operations in Uganda and to reconnect with our audiences, employees, commercial partners and communities.”
“Our immediate priority will be to restore our platforms responsibly, strengthen local content and provide Ugandans with credible, relevant and innovative journalism across print, broadcast and digital channels.”
“Nation Media Group will draw on its regional capabilities and experience to support a resilient, forward-looking media industry in Uganda, while creating opportunities for talent, enterprise and public engagement.”
Executive Summary: Key Statements and Leadership Declarations
To give readers a clear overview of the official press release, the key declarations made by regional media and corporate leaders are summarized below:
| Key Stakeholder / Leader | Corporate Position | Core Commitment / Official Statement Summary |
| Mr. Rostam Azizi | Chairman, Taifa Group (Majority Shareholder) | Thanked President Museveni and Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba; pledged commitment to balanced, patriotic, and responsible journalism across East Africa. |
| Mr. Joe Muganda | Chairman, Nation Media Group PLC | Confirmed immediate priority is responsible platform restoration, strengthening local content, and delivering credible journalism. |
| H.E. Yoweri K. Museveni | President of Uganda | Formally authorized the reopening of NMG Uganda outlets following State House consultations. |
| Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba | Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), UPDF | Hosted military and corporate security engagements in Entebbe that established operational guidelines for reopening. |
How does this resolution impact East African economic integration?
The resolution of the NMG Uganda shutdown is widely seen across the region as a major victory for cross-border private sector investment and East African Community (EAC) integration.
Taifa Group—a diversified Tanzanian conglomerate with interests spanning telecommunications, energy, mining, agriculture, and aviation—acquired its controlling 54.08% stake in Nation Media Group earlier in 2026 from the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED).
By leveraging diplomatic dialogue to resolve a complex political and commercial standoff, the reopening highlights the growing role of cross-border East African capital in fostering institutional stability and economic cooperation across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
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