The chaos that marred the 2025 NRM Delegates Conference has been linked to the decision to block independent media from covering the event.
The Special Forces Command (SFC), responsible for the President’s security, locked out journalists from Next Media and Nation Media, continuing a ban imposed on the two outlets earlier this year.
The restrictions left the ruling party’s most critical gathering in years without the scrutiny of some of the country’s most established newsrooms.
Inside reports of bribery, vote buying, violence, and manipulation only surfaced through leaks and eyewitness accounts, with the public denied real-time coverage by outlets known for holding power to account.
This is not the first time the SFC has moved to curtail access.
Both Next Media and Nation Media have repeatedly been blocked from covering President Museveni’s activities since the beginning of 2025.
Next Media, who on Monday launched their 2026 election coverage had planned to broadcast the whole event live but were blocked.
The NRM conference itself was riddled with allegations of fraud, with reports of delegates bribed with cash and gifts, missing accreditation, and poor logistical planning despite billions spent.
Critics argue that without independent media oversight, such scandals are easier to conceal or spin, raising new questions about transparency as the party heads toward the 2026 elections.
