Starlink Gets Operational Licence in Uganda

President Yoweri Museveni has witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and operational licence agreement between the Uganda Communications Commission and Starlink.

In a post on X on May 15, 2026, Museveni said the agreement marks “an important step towards the commencement of their operations in Uganda.”

The President said Uganda’s “interest is security, revenue assurance, and proper accountability within the telecommunications sector so that we know who is operating and who the customers are.”

He added: “I am pleased that Starlink has agreed to comply with Uganda’s laws and regulatory requirements as it prepares to begin service delivery in the country. I wish them good luck.”

Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Adonia Ayebare, while commenting on growing economic ties between Uganda the U.S., had earlier said Starlink was among American companies that would soon roll out services in Uganda to provide nationwide satellite internet coverage, including in remote areas with limited connectivity.

He noted that the service would support education, healthcare and economic activity.

“We’re about to get Starlink here… which is satellite internet that will cover the whole country, and that will contribute immensely to economic development, to education, to health,” Ayebare said during an interview with UBC TV in April.

Satellite broadband is viewed as a complement to fibre and mobile internet networks, especially in hard-to-reach regions.

The move would place Uganda among African countries such as Kenya, Rwanda and Nigeria, which have already licensed or engaged Starlink to expand digital connectivity.

During the UBC interview, Ayebare said the partnership reflects wider economic cooperation between Uganda and the United States.

He said increased connectivity would create opportunities in education, healthcare and digital entrepreneurship.