Uganda Grants Starlink Licence to Boost Internet Access and Competition

Uganda has granted a licence to Elon Musk’s Starlink, allowing the satellite internet company to begin operations in the country, President Yoweri Museveni announced. Starlink, owned by SpaceX, is expanding across Africa and is expected to increase internet access and competition in Uganda’s telecom sector, which is currently dominated by MTN Group and Airtel. The move aims to improve connectivity, especially in underserved areas, where internet services are often costly and unreliable.

Uganda has officially granted a licence to Elon Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink, clearing the way for it to begin operations in the country, President Yoweri Museveni announced in a post on X on Friday.
Starlink, which operates under the aerospace company SpaceX, is part of a rapidly expanding satellite internet network that aims to provide high-speed internet access using low-Earth orbit satellites. The company has been steadily increasing its presence across Africa and is already active in more than a dozen countries, including Somalia and others on the continent.
Museveni said he presided over the signing of an operational licence agreement between the Uganda Communications Commission and Starlink, describing it as an important milestone for Uganda’s telecommunications sector. He added that the agreement marks the beginning of preparations for Starlink’s service rollout in the country.
According to the President, Starlink has agreed to comply fully with Uganda’s legal and regulatory framework as it prepares to launch commercial services. This includes adherence to licensing rules, service standards, and oversight requirements set by the national communications regulator.
Uganda’s internet market has long been a subject of public concern, with many consumers complaining about high data costs, slow speeds, and unreliable service. These issues are often linked to limited competition in the sector and heavy dependence on a few dominant telecom operators.
At present, the country’s data and mobile internet market is largely controlled by a subsidiary of the South African telecom giant MTN Group, which holds a dominant share of subscribers. It competes mainly with Airtel Uganda, a unit of India’s Bharti Airtel.
Industry observers suggest that Starlink’s entry could reshape Uganda’s connectivity landscape by introducing satellite-based broadband services that bypass traditional terrestrial infrastructure. This could be especially significant for rural and underserved areas where laying fibre-optic cables is expensive or impractical.
However, as with other markets where Starlink has entered, questions remain about pricing, affordability for average consumers, and how its services will integrate with existing regulatory and telecom frameworks. Regulators are also expected to monitor issues such as spectrum use, data security, and fair competition as the service becomes operational.
The move places Uganda among a growing number of African countries adopting satellite internet technology as governments look for ways to expand digital access and improve connectivity across both urban and remote regions.