KAMPALA, Uganda – Uganda has imposed an immediate restriction on the importation of Starlink satellite internet equipment, requiring written authorisation from the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, before the devices can be cleared at customs.
The move, announced less than a month before the January 15, 2026 general election, has raised fresh questions about access to independent communication technologies during a politically sensitive period.
An internal memorandum issued by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Customs Control Department on December 19, 2025, directed customs officers across the country to halt the clearance of Starlink-related technology unless importers present an authorisation letter from the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).
“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 states.
It adds that “any import declaration of the aforementioned items should be accompanied by a clearance/authorisation letter from the Chief of Defence Forces – Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF),” with the directive taking effect immediately.
Under the new policy, all Starlink equipment entering Uganda through any border point must be vetted and approved by General Muhoozi, effectively placing control of satellite internet imports under military clearance. The URA memo did not give reasons for the restriction.
Satellite-based internet systems such as Starlink operate independently of national telecom infrastructure, a feature that has prompted regulatory and security concerns in some countries, including issues related to spectrum management, oversight, and compliance with domestic laws.
Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, uses a network of low-Earth orbit satellites to provide broadband internet without relying on terrestrial cables or mobile networks.
Since its first satellite launch in 2019, the service has expanded rapidly, reaching more than 150 countries globally and 23 African nations as of October 2025.
The technology has drawn interest across Africa for its potential to deliver high-speed internet to rural and underserved regions where conventional networks are limited or non-existent.
The restriction comes months after President Yoweri Museveni held talks with Starlink officials on the company’s proposed entry into Uganda’s telecommunications market.
At the time, Museveni welcomed the initiative, describing satellite internet as a possible solution to persistent connectivity challenges in remote areas.
“I appreciate their commitment to providing low-cost internet in hard-to-reach areas and establishing a presence in Uganda. They are welcome,” Museveni said in a post on X following the meeting.
However, the latest directive also revives memories of Uganda’s past use of internet controls during elections.
In 2021, authorities shut down internet access nationwide during the general election, a move the government said was intended to curb misinformation and disinformation.
For now, importers of Starlink and similar satellite communication equipment face an added layer of military oversight just weeks before Ugandans head to the polls.
