29th June 2026

Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a Ugandan military general, Chief of Defence Forces, and son of President Yoweri Museveni, said yesterday: "I do not believe in a free press!" He has ordered the closure of two leading media outlets, the Daily Monitor, Uganda’s largest independent daily newspaper, and NTV Uganda, one of the country’s largest private broadcasters.  He added that these news organisations would “not re-open without my permission.”  The Daily Monitor said on X  "no-one was allowed to enter or leave the compound". NTV Uganda and Spark TV displayed blank screens displaying the message 'video unavailable'."  No specific reasons have been provided for closing the media outlets. The stations went off air following reports of a security operation allegedly linked to directives from Muhoozi, sparking criticism from media freedom advocates and opposition figures.  Both are owned by Nation Media Group (NMG) NMG.NR, a media conglomerate headquartered in Kenya and listed on the Nairobi stock exchange. 

Loving God, we bring to you our concerns for the people of Uganda.  It is disturbing that the authorities can shut down media outlets without providing good reason or a legal basis. We are concerned for the freedoms the people enjoy and that the government is not acting with transparency. May truth and honesty, integrity and openness be prevalent.  May  there be nothing sinister underpinning the silencing of these media outlets so that political freedom and justice will prevail and publication and broadcasting fully restored. In  the name of Jesus we pray,  Amen.  

Today's Good News is another Three Peaks achievement. Yesterday, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, completed the National Three Peaks Challenge, which involves climbing the highest peaks of Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike), and Wales (Snowdon) within 24 hours. The entire walking distance of the challenge is 23 miles with an ascent of about 10,000 feet. The Princess took on the demanding challenge to raise cancer awareness and raise funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the foundation of the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, where she received treatment for cancer. The Princess said, "Cancer doesn't just affect the body. It changes how you think and feel and profoundly affects every aspect of life. I know this personally, and that the journey through and beyond treatment requires more than medicine alone." She added that she did the challenge to "explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back."

A prayer of praise and thanksgiving

based on Common Worship Eucharistic Prayer F

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

 We give you our thanks and praise.

Lord God of truth, we thank you that

by the power of your word,

and all things have come into being.

You fashioned us in your image

and placed us in the garden of your delight.

We thank you that although we chose the path of rebellion you would not abandon us.

In the coming of your Son Jesus Christ,

you revealed the power of your love.

Embracing our humanity,

Jesus showed us the way of salvation;

loving us to the end.

We give you thanks and praise

that he gave himself to death for us;

setting us free from the bonds of sin,

that we might rise and reign with him in glory.

Lord God, you are the most holy one,

enthroned in splendour and light.

Blessing and honour and glory and power

be yours for ever and ever.

Amen.