Just days before Ugandans head to the polls, satellite internet provider Starlink has abruptly gone offline in the country, cutting off what many considered a critical connectivity lifeline during a politically sensitive period. The shutdown, ordered by regulators and executed on January 1, has reignited discussions around digital access, political influence, and Africa’s reliance on a handful of telecom giants during election seasons.
Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, entered Uganda in late 2023—not through an official launch, but via grey-market imports. Users purchased terminals in neighboring countries where Starlink is licensed, activated them there, and then quietly brought them into Uganda. For many, this offered faster, uncensored internet access, especially in rural and underserved areas where fiber and mobile networks remain limited.
Why the Shutdown Happened
Starlink says the move was necessary because it is not authorized to operate in Uganda. In a letter to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) dated January 1, Starlink’s Director for Market Access, Ben MacWilliams, wrote:
“Any use of Starlink within Uganda was unauthorized and contrary to Ugandan law as well as Starlink’s terms of service.”
The company explained that its local entity has yet to receive a license, making all current usage illegal under Ugandan regulations.
Timing Raises Questions
The blackout comes just two weeks before Uganda’s general elections on January 15, a period historically marked by internet slowdowns and outright shutdowns. With national internet penetration hovering around 27%, and far lower in rural areas, Starlink had been seen as a potential game-changer for schools, health centers, and small businesses beyond the reach of fiber networks.
President Yoweri Museveni confirmed holding high-level talks with Elon Musk to resolve the impasse:
I have been in talks with Elon Musk. We are studying whether satellite can now be cheaper than underground fiber.
He added that Uganda would allow Starlink if it can offer lower costs, while UCC officials stressed that discussions remain exploratory and no license has been issued yet.
With Starlink offline, Uganda’s internet market remains dominated by MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda, and established players like Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Smile. Critics argue these operators have failed to deliver affordable, reliable internet deep into rural Uganda, leaving millions underserved.
