President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was, on May 15th, a witness to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and an operational licence agreement between the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX.
The ceremony at State House Entebbe marks the official entry of Elon Musk’s innovative company into Uganda’s telecommunications sector, promising to bridge the digital divide while upholding national priorities of security, revenue, and accountability.
The agreement was signed by UCC Executive Director George William Nyombi Thembo and Starlink representatives led by Mr. Ryan Goodnight. President Museveni described the milestone as a major step toward strengthening Uganda’s ICT infrastructure.
I witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and operational licence agreement between the Uganda Communications Commission and Starlink, marking an important step towards the commencement of their operations in Uganda.
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) May 15, 2026
Our interest is security, revenue assurance,… pic.twitter.com/NlrhVUXt94
“Our interest is security, revenue assurance, and proper accountability within the telecommunications sector so that we know who is operating and who the customers are. I am pleased that Starlink has agreed to comply with Uganda’s laws and regulatory requirements as it prepares to begin service delivery in the country,” he stated.
This approval comes after months of regulatory negotiations and follows a period of uncertainty.
In January 2026, Starlink had deactivated all terminals in Uganda at the UCC’s request due to the absence of a local licence. Gray-market kits imported from neighbouring countries like Kenya and Rwanda were rendered inoperable, highlighting the government’s firm stance on unregulated satellite services, especially ahead of elections.
Key clauses and compliance requirements
The newly signed agreement addresses these issues head-on. Starlink must:
- Establish a national gateway with a physical point of presence in Uganda to route and manage traffic locally.
- Maintain an operational office in the country, staffed with technical, legal, and support personnel for effective oversight and customer service.
- Register all activated devices to enable proper customer identification and regulatory tracking.
- Fully comply with Uganda’s telecommunications laws, including provisions on data interception, taxation, and local operations.
These conditions reflect the government’s balanced approach: embracing cutting-edge technology while safeguarding sovereignty. UCC issued Starlink with an operational certificate immediately after the signing, following extensive discussions to align the partnership with national regulations. Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, noted that the licence resulted from careful negotiations to ensure full compliance.
Mr. Goodnight welcomed the agreement, affirming Starlink’s commitment to Uganda’s framework. He also announced plans to donate internet connectivity devices to selected education and health institutions, signalling broader societal benefits.
Availability and Starlink’s approach to Uganda
On availability, Starlink’s official coverage map currently lists Uganda under “Starting in 2026,” signalling that commercial service rollout will commence later this year following the fresh licence approval. The company’s journey into the Ugandan market has been methodical and partnership-driven.
In December 2025, Starlink entered a strategic agreement with Airtel Africa to explore the distribution of its satellite services across 14 markets on the continent, including Uganda. This tie-up positioned Airtel Uganda as a potential wholesale partner for integrating Starlink capacity into local networks, though it stopped short of immediate direct-to-consumer retail access.
However, just weeks before the January 15, 2026 general elections, the government imposed tight restrictions on the importation of Starlink equipment. A Uganda Revenue Authority directive required written authorisation from the Chief of Defence Forces for any clearances, effectively placing satellite hardware under military oversight to curb unregulated use during the politically sensitive period.
These measures culminated in the January service suspension and underscored the priority placed on controlled deployment. With the May licence now secured, official kits and subscriptions are expected to become available through Starlink’s channels and possibly authorised partners in the coming months.
Transforming Uganda’s digital landscape
Uganda currently has internet penetration around 50%, with significant gaps in rural and underserved areas. Traditional providers like MTN and Airtel dominate urban centres, but fibre and mobile broadband often fall short in remote regions such as Karamoja, Northern Uganda, and islands on Lake Victoria.
Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellite constellation offers high-speed (up to 100–400 Mbps), low-latency internet that is largely independent of ground infrastructure, making it ideal for schools, hospitals, farms, and small businesses.
The entry of Starlink is expected to intensify competition, potentially driving down costs across the sector. Early estimates suggest hardware kits priced around UGX 800,000–1.36 million, with monthly subscriptions in the UGX 120,000–190,000 range—competitive when compared to premium local options, though affordability for average households remains a key watchpoint. Experts anticipate job creation in installation, support, and related services, alongside boosted e-commerce, telemedicine, and online education.
The event was attended by senior officials, including Uganda’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Robie Kakonge, reflecting the strategic importance of the partnership.
Challenges and the road ahead
While the licence resolves long-standing hurdles, challenges persist. Exact rollout timelines, final localised pricing, and spectrum usage details are still forthcoming. Affordability could limit uptake among lower-income users, and Starlink must navigate local expectations for quality service in varied terrains and weather conditions.
