The issue involving the closure the media  has been brought to the Secretary-General’s attention according to the Secretary General’s secretary to international media Inner City Press’s Mathew Lee.

A statement says the Secretary-General is not in a position to make judgments about the specific circumstances of this case; however, it goes without saying that for the United Nations, as a matter of principle, freedom of speech and expression are fundamental and universal rights.

It adds the Secretary-General believes that, in any democracy, it is essential for there to be freedom of expression and for the media to be able to carry out its functions freely and independently. It remains unclear if ban Ki Moon has discussed the closures with President Museveni.

Earlier, The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the World Bank Group President Dr. Jim Yong Kim arrived in Uganda, as part of their historic visit to Africa’s Great Lakes region.

The two are visiting the region in support of a recent landmark peace agreement and to push for economic development in one of the world’s most troubled regions.

Speaking at state House Entebbe, Ban Ki Moon applauded the Ugandan government and soldiers for their commitment and efforts towards ensuring peace and stability in the region

Museveni also hailed the UN for its enormous role of facilitating the peace process in the region.

The shadow minister of defense Hassan Kaps Fungaro welcomes the appointment of Lt. Gen Katumba Wamala as the new chief of defence forces.

Lt.Gen Katumba replaces Gen Aronda Nyakairima who has been transferred to the internal affairs ministry.

Fungaro says the new chief of defense forces faces a challenge of uniting the national army that he says is getting more divided

But the shadow minister of Justice and constitutional affairs Medard Lubega Ssegona says Nyakairima posting to the internal affairs ministry should be of great concern to politicians and human rights defenders as the country moves towards the 2016 polls

Meanwhile, the newly appointed minister of information Rose Namayanja pledges to use dialogue to resolve any misunderstanding between government and the media.

Namayanja takes up the docket at the time when there’s a stand-off between government and the media, arising from a letter authored by the Gen. David Ssejusa

She replaces Mary Karooro Okurut who moves to the Gender and labor Ministry.