Uganda’s growing demand for satellite internet has encountered a regulatory roadblock after Starlink confirmed that all its terminals operating in the country were switched off at the start of 2026. The development highlights the tightening enforcement of telecommunications regulations at a time when demand for faster, more reliable internet—especially in underserved areas—is steadily rising.
In a letter dated January 2, 2026, addressed to the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Starlink said it had activated a new service restriction tool for Uganda, effectively disabling all Starlink terminals in the country as of January 1, 2026. The move followed a directive from UCC ordering the company to stop the illegal provision of telecommunication services in Uganda.
The letter, signed by Ben MacWilliams, Director for Starlink Market Access at Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), makes it clear that Starlink is not yet licensed to sell or market satellite internet services in Uganda. According to the company, any Starlink usage detected in Uganda prior to the shutdown involved individuals who purchased and activated terminals in countries where Starlink is authorised—such as Kenya—before illegally importing and using them locally.
“As of 01 January 2026, there are no Starlink terminals operating in Uganda,” the company stated, stressing that any prior usage occurred without its approval and in violation of its terms of service. Starlink further clarified that its Ugandan entity has never imported or distributed terminals in the country.
Rising demand meets regulatory pushback
The Starlink shutdown reflects a broader trend in Uganda’s digital landscape: increasing appetite for high-speed, low-latency internet alongside stricter regulatory oversight of emerging technologies. Over the past two years, Starlink equipment has quietly gained traction among businesses, NGOs, tech hubs, and users in remote locations frustrated by unreliable terrestrial networks.
From islands on Lake Victoria to border districts and hard-to-reach rural communities, satellite broadband has been viewed as a potential solution to persistent connectivity gaps. Online discussions and tech forums suggest that some Ugandans were willing to incur high costs to import Starlink kits from neighbouring countries in exchange for stable and fast internet.
However, Uganda’s telecom sector remains tightly regulated. UCC has consistently insisted that all operators comply with national licensing requirements, spectrum management rules, security considerations, and consumer protection standards. Authorities have also imposed import restrictions on satellite communication equipment, citing national security and spectrum coordination concerns.
The Starlink action signals a shift from regulatory warnings to active enforcement, as government responds to the informal uptake of unlicensed digital services.
Starlink distances itself from unauthorised use
In its communication to UCC, Starlink was keen to distance itself from any unauthorised operations in Uganda. The company emphasised that any use of its service in the country occurred through illegal importation by third parties, without its consent or involvement.
This clarification comes amid public confusion, with some users assuming Starlink had quietly launched in Uganda. The company’s position reinforces that, despite its rapid expansion across Africa, Uganda is not yet among its licensed markets.
Starlink currently operates legally in several African countries, including Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, and Mozambique, where it has been embraced as a transformative tool for rural connectivity, education delivery, healthcare services, and digital entrepreneurship.
Globally, Starlink’s footprint continues to expand. In 2025 alone, the company connected more than 4.6 million new active customers and is now serving an estimated 9.2 million people worldwide—figures that underscore the scale of demand for satellite-based connectivity.
Licensing talks and strategic importance
Despite the shutdown, Starlink struck a conciliatory tone, reaffirming its commitment to working with Ugandan authorities to complete the licensing process.
“Starlink is committed to cooperating with the UCC’s regulatory requirements as we work to complete the licensing process in Uganda,” the letter noted, adding that the company looks forward to its future in the country.
This suggests that Uganda remains a strategic market for satellite internet providers, particularly as government accelerates digital transformation, e-government services, online education, fintech growth, and innovation-led development.
Uganda’s National Development Plan and Digital Transformation Roadmap both prioritise universal access to affordable, high-quality internet as a foundation for socio-economic progress. In this context, satellite internet is increasingly seen as a complementary solution to fibre and mobile broadband, especially in areas where conventional network rollout is commercially unviable.
Regional developments and political context
Regionally, Starlink is also pushing new technologies. In partnership with Airtel Africa, the company is rolling out its “Direct to Cell” satellite-to-mobile service, which aims to connect more than 170 million people across 14 African countries. The service—Starlink’s sixth continental rollout—is designed to eliminate mobile dead zones by initially enabling data-based voice, video, and messaging, before advancing to high-speed broadband on smartphones with data speeds up to 20 times faster.
In Uganda, however, the timing of the shutdown has sparked debate. Critics have questioned the decision coming shortly before the January 15 elections, drawing comparisons to past internet disruptions, including the 2021 shutdown. Supporters of the move argue that it is simply the enforcement of long-standing regulations and should not be politicised.