Uganda has imposed an immediate restriction on the importation of Starlink satellite internet equipment and related communication technology, a move that has raised concerns about access to independent communications less than a month before the country’s general election scheduled for January 15, 2026.
Under the new directive, importers must now obtain written authorisation from the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba — the son of President Yoweri Museveni — before Starlink equipment can be cleared by customs.
The decision was communicated through an internal memorandum dated December 19, 2025, issued by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Customs Control Department. The memo instructed all customs officers to immediately halt the clearance of Starlink technology gadgets, communication equipment and associated components unless accompanied by a clearance or 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 reads in part.
“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). This guidance takes effect immediately, and all staff are expected to adhere to it.”
The directive applies to all entry points across the country, effectively placing the importation of Starlink equipment under military oversight. However, the URA memo did not publicly outline the reasons behind the restriction.
Satellite internet systems such as Starlink operate independently of national telecommunications infrastructure, a feature that has previously raised concerns among governments over spectrum management, regulatory compliance and security oversight. Unlike traditional internet services, satellite-based connectivity can bypass local telecom networks entirely.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, uses a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites to provide broadband internet access. Since its first satellite launches in 2019, the service has expanded rapidly.
By October 2025, Starlink had rolled out services in more than 150 countries globally, including 23 African nations, with further expansion plans underway. The service has been particularly attractive in rural and underserved regions due to its ability to deliver high-speed internet where fibre and mobile networks are limited.
The restriction comes just months after President Museveni held talks with Starlink officials over the company’s proposed entry into Uganda’s telecommunications market. At the time, the president publicly welcomed the technology, describing it as a potential solution to persistent connectivity challenges in remote parts of the country.
“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 statement shared on X.
The latest move also revives memories of Uganda’s past internet controls during election periods. In 2021, the government shut down internet services nationwide during the general election, arguing the measure was necessary to curb misinformation and disinformation.
Critics, however, viewed the shutdown as a restriction on freedom of expression and access to information.
For now, importers and distributors of Starlink and similar satellite communication devices face an added layer of scrutiny, with military clearance now required before their goods can be processed through customs — a development likely to draw increased attention as the country heads into a politically sensitive election period.
