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The head of Uganda’s military has shut down two of the nation’s biggest news organizations.

Getting into it: The shutdown began on Sunday, when security forces moved in on Nation Media Group’s offices in Namuwongo, Kampala in the early hours of the morning, cutting electricity and blocking staff from getting in or out. NTV Uganda and Spark TV were knocked off air by 5am, and the Daily Monitor’s print, radio and digital operations were disrupted along with them.

The order came from Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces and the son of President Yoweri Museveni, who announced the whole thing himself in a string of posts on X. He claimed the two outlets had been pushing coverage that was hostile to Uganda and cutting against its interests, and the shutdown capped roughly a week of public threats in which he said he was waiting on his father’s go-ahead before moving.

In a statement on X, Kainerugaba said, “In Uganda, I do not believe in a free press!” he wrote, saying the outlets would not reopen without his permission. He added, “From now on ALL bad stories about Uganda have to be cleared by my office! The press should be guided by cadres of the revolution.”

He also made clear he didn’t think he needed anyone’s sign-off to do it, saying, “I have the power in Uganda to shut down ANY media house I want to. I have had this power since 2017. This power was given to me by my great father President Kaguta Museveni.”

Nation Media Group confirmed the raid, saying its premises had been “rendered inaccessible following an overnight raid by the military” and that it would keep publishing through its digital platforms.

By Sunday evening there were already signs of a walk-back. Andrew Mwenda, a veteran journalist and Muhoozi ally, said he’d agreed with the general to reopen both outlets, and Muhoozi confirmed talks were underway (though he tied any final call to his father).