Gachagua's remarks came after Muhoozi threatened to shut down leading Ugandan media houses, including Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda and Spark TV, over their coverage of political and national affairs.
In his response, Gachagua cautioned Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his son against using state power to intimidate journalists and media organisations carrying out their constitutional duty.
He maintained that attempts to silence journalists through threats or intimidation could damage Uganda's democratic credentials and weaken public confidence in state institutions.
Gachagua further urged the Ugandan leadership to respect press freedom, saying criticism from the media should be addressed through lawful and democratic means rather than intimidation.
His comments come at a time when concerns over media freedom and civic space continue to attract attention across East Africa, with rights groups frequently calling for greater protection of journalists.
Muhoozi's statements sparked debate on social media, with supporters defending his position while critics accused him of promoting censorship and undermining independent journalism.
Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda and Spark TV are among Uganda's most recognised media organisations, providing news coverage on politics, governance, business and public affairs.
Although the Ugandan government has not officially announced any move to close the affected media houses, Muhoozi's remarks have intensified discussions about the relationship between the state and the press.
Political observers say comments from influential government officials can have a significant impact on media operations, especially when they are interpreted as official policy or warnings.
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