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Uganda Government Paid 3.1 Billion Shillings to Daily Monitor Over 2013 Closure
The government settled a 2018 High Court judgment in full during 2025, paying Daily Monitor approximately 3.1 billion shillings for the 11-day shutdown of its newspaper and radio outlets. The payment covered damages, interest, and legal costs after authorities declined to appeal the ruling that found the closure unlawful.
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The government paid Daily Monitor approximately 3.1 billion shillings in a single settlement during 2025, more than a decade after security agencies closed the newspaper and its sister outlets for 11 days. The payment followed a High Court judgment delivered on August 16, 2018, that ruled the May 2013 closure unlawful. Officials chose not to appeal the decision.
Background of the 2013 Closure Daily Monitor published a story on May 20, 2013, based on a leaked letter alleging a plot against senior officials. Police surrounded the company's Namuwongo headquarters the same day, declared the premises a crime scene, and suspended printing, radio broadcasts, and digital services.
The shutdown lasted until May 31, 2013. The court later found that officers exceeded the scope of their search warrant by shutting down transmitters, confiscating equipment, and continuing to occupy the premises after a magistrate cancelled the warrant.
Wangutsi awarded 945.1 million shillings in special damages, 100 million shillings in general damages, and 100 million shillings in aggravated damages. Interest was set at 18 percent per year on special damages from the filing date and 6 percent per year on the other awards from the judgment date.
A source familiar with the settlement said the final payment covered the court award, accumulated interest, legal costs, and related expenses. Monitor co-founder Philip Wafula Oguttu publicly referenced the payment during a television appearance while discussing another media closure.
