Many Ugandans no longer know who or what to believe when they hear the latest headlines from the news platforms still operating.
All this uncertainty comes from the sudden closure of major trusted Nation Media Group (NMG) outlets. These include the likes of NTV, Daily Monitor, and their radio stations.
Their closures have left a huge gap that smaller or government-friendly sources can not fill.
These sites were independent of any government manipulation, and many liked them for their free nature of expression.
It was the country’s army chief general, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who authorized their closures. Gen Muhoozi openly took responsibility for their closure and said their opening will only be authorized by him.
Soldiers showed up at the Nation Media Group premises in late June, blocked access, cut power, and forced everything off air.
People who used to gather at 7 pm in trading centers to watch Akawungeezi on NTV, a famous news program, now sit in quiet spots.
The lively discussions around the TV screen have now disappeared. Many viewers say they have even stopped following news completely.
Others switched to platforms they do not fully trust. Worst of all, they cannot verify whether the new one is controlled by the government or not.
The affected stations reached millions every day, but now they have nothing to trust in the form of news.
NTV and Spark TV brought pictures from around the country. The Daily Monitor newspaper dug into stories other papers ignored. KFM and Dembe FM gave radio listeners balanced talk shows, but all that was stopped in one night.