With less than a month to go to its January 2026 elections, Uganda has restricted the importation of Starlink equipment into the country.
- •A memo by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) dated December 19th directed customs officials to halt the entry of satellite internet equipment.
- •Any customs declaration for such equipment now requires clearance from the head of the Uganda's military, who is currently Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, President Yoweri Museveni's son.
- •President Museveni, 81, will face off against his 2021 rival, Robert Kyagulanyi as well as his former ally Gen (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu, among other candidates.
"This communication serves to officially notify staff about the immediate restriction on the importation and customs clearance of Starlink technology gadgets, communication equipment and associated components," the memo, signed by URA's Commissioner of Customs Asadu Kigozi Kisitu, reads.
In late April, Museveni met Starlink officials in Kampala, shortly after Space X, the satellite company's parent company, applied for a license to operate in the country. In mid-December, Airtel Africa signed a deal with Starlink to offer its subscribers direct-to-cell mobile service in all its markets, including Uganda.
As of October, the service was live in over 150 countries globally, and 23 in Africa.
