Taifa Group chairman Rostam Azizi Nation Media Group (NMG) has officially resumed operations in Uganda after President Yoweri Museveni authorised the reopening of its broadcast and print platforms, a month after the media house was shut down by the country's military.
Speaking in the statement, Taifa Group chairman Rostam Azizi thanked President Museveni for authorising the reopening and also acknowledged Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for supporting the engagements that culminated in the decision.
"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," Azizi said.
"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."
Azizi said Taifa Group fully supports Nation Media Group's commitment to fair, balanced, independent and responsible journalism, adding that professional media plays an important role in supporting national development, good governance and regional integration.
Nation Media Group chairman Joe Muganda said the company would immediately begin restoring its operations and rebuilding relationships with audiences, employees and commercial partners.
"We welcome the opportunity to resume operations in Uganda and to reconnect with our audiences, employees, commercial partners and communities," Muganda said.
"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."
He said the media house would leverage its regional experience to support a resilient media industry in Uganda while creating opportunities for talent, enterprise and public engagement.
Taifa Group said the resumption reflects the enduring relationship between Uganda and Tanzania and demonstrates the commitment of East African governments and the private sector to deepen regional integration, cross-border investment and economic cooperation.
The investment firm added that Nation Media Group would continue leveraging its presence across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda to strengthen regional conversations and support East Africa's social and economic development.
The reopening comes exactly one month after Uganda's military halted Nation Media Group Uganda's operations following orders announced by Gen. Muhoozi through his official social media accounts.
On June 28, armed security officers reportedly surrounded Nation Media Group's premises in Namuwongo, Kampala, disrupting the operations of NTV Uganda, Spark TV and the Daily Monitor.
Television broadcasts went off air while publication of the newspaper was also interrupted after security personnel reportedly prevented staff from accessing the premises.
The shutdown attracted widespread criticism from media organisations, rights groups and political leaders across the region.
The Kenya Editors Guild condemned the closure as a serious attack on media freedom, freedom of expression and the rule of law, urging Ugandan authorities to restore access to the affected media outlets and uphold due process.
The Uganda Communications Commission later said it was engaging relevant government agencies to establish the circumstances surrounding the suspension of Nation Media Group's broadcasts.
