Kampala — MPs on Thursday condemned government's seven-day closure of The Monitor newspaper.

The MPs were attending a public discussion on the theme, The Freedom of the Media in Conflict organised by the Uganda Young Democrats at Lumumba Hall terrace, Makerere University.

Kassiano Wadri (Terego) said that because of government's failure to tackle the root cause of the war, it had turned its aggression toward the media.

"Government opted for the weak option, to close The Monitor," Wadri said. "Government through its mouthpiece The New Vision wants to give a false impression that all is well in the country. Government acted in a high-handed manner to close the paper."

Wadri attributed the continued war in the north to poor facilitation of the soldiers and "corruption" within the army.

Ken Lukyamuzi (Lubaga South) was cheered when he said that when the government begins terrorising the press, it's a sign that it's about to collapse.

"If you report that a chopper was shot, what is wrong with that?" he said. "If you stop Frank Nyakairu [author of the story] from reporting on what is going on, then we can get rid of you."

Lukyamuzi advised government not to pursue the court case on the chopper story but rather apologise to The Monitor.

On the war in the north, Lukyamuzi said President Yoweri Museveni should hold peace talks with LRA leader Kony outside the country.

"I will rejuvenate the motion of peace talks in Parliament," Lukyamuzi said. "If the president doesn't comply, then we shall appeal to the international community to impose aid sanctions on Uganda."

Reagan Okumu (Aswa) said it was an act of tyranny to close the newspaper.

Odonga Otto (Aruu) said the closure of The Monitor was "barbaric". "I have the data from this place, Adilang [the alleged area where the chopper came down], because I am from there," Otto said. "When Parliament resumes work on Nov. 12, I will give this evidence. I may force government to resign."

Ssebuliba Mutumba (Kawempe South) said government has run out of ideas and should hand over power.

But Tarsis Kabwegyere (Igara West) said that at times matters of national concern shouldn't be exposed in the press.