Uganda’s main opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), has condemned the suspension of journalists from the Nation Media Group (NMG) from covering parliamentary proceedings, calling the move “unconstitutional” and “a cowardly attack on press freedom.”

In a statement issued on October 30th, NUP accused parliamentary leaders of blocking reporters from the Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda and other NMG platforms from accessing the House.

The party, led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known as Bobi Wine, said the ban followed what it described as critical reporting about alleged corruption and misuse of power by Speaker Annet Anita Among and other officials.

Ms Among was sanctioned over corruption allegations by the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States in 2024.

“We have reason to believe it is retaliation for recent stories exposing abuse of power and corruption in Parliament,” the statement said.

The NUP said the move violated article 29 of the constitution, which protects freedom of speech and the press.

The party accused the government of systematically silencing independent media through intimidation, threats and violence.

“The clampdown on independent media has gone beyond bans,” the statement continued. “Journalists have been beaten and threatened simply for doing their jobs. These attacks are part of a systematic effort to instill fear and enforce self-censorship.”

Susan Nsibirwa, Managing Director of Nation Media Group Uganda, said Parliament had not explained the reasons for the blockade, which followed a months-long ban on NMG journalists covering the national assembly.

“We have not been informed of any contraventions that we or our journalists might have committed and have therefore been denied the right of reply or due process,” she said in a statement.

Media rights groups in Uganda have long raised concerns over shrinking press freedom. Several journalists have in recent years reported harassment by security forces, especially while covering political or election-related events.

NUP said the exclusion of NMG journalists from Parliament was part of a broader pattern of repression that has targeted opposition figures, activists and religious leaders.

“By banning independent media from covering public institutions funded by taxpayers, the regime is admitting that it has something to hide,” the statement said. “No regime, however powerful, can win a war against the truth forever.”

The opposition party expressed “full solidarity” with affected journalists and reaffirmed its commitment to defending media freedom and protecting all journalists in Uganda.

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