Breaking: Elon Musk’s Starlink Secures Licence To Operate In Uganda After Museveni’s Intervention

By Swift Reporter

Uganda has officially cleared Starlink to begin operations in the country after President Yoweri Museveni witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and an operational licence agreement between the Uganda Communications Commission and the satellite internet provider.

The landmark agreement opens the door for Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX founded by Elon Musk, to deliver high-speed satellite internet across Uganda, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas where traditional broadband infrastructure remains limited.

Announcing the development on his official X account, President Museveni said the agreement marked a significant step toward expanding internet connectivity while ensuring full regulatory compliance.

“I witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and operational licence agreement between the Uganda Communications Commission and Starlink, marking an important step towards the commencement of their operations in Uganda,” Museveni stated.

“Our interest is security, revenue assurance, and proper accountability within the telecommunications sector so that we know who is operating and who the customers are. 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.”

The licence follows months of negotiations between government officials and Starlink executives, culminating in a series of high-level meetings at State House Entebbe.

Starlink’s entry into Uganda was initially delayed by disagreements over licensing classification and fees.

The Uganda Communications Commission had reportedly sought to classify the company as a national telecommunications operator, a category that would have required licence fees exceeding $20 million.

Starlink objected, arguing that it provides data-only satellite broadband rather than bundled services such as voice and mobile money offered by conventional telecom operators.

The final agreement is understood to have established a revised regulatory framework specifically suited to satellite internet providers, allowing Starlink to operate independently while maintaining compliance with Ugandan laws.

Government officials emphasized that national security and regulatory oversight were central to the negotiations.

Because satellite networks operate outside traditional terrestrial infrastructure, authorities sought assurances that Starlink would remain responsive to lawful requests, including during politically sensitive periods.

To address these concerns, Starlink committed to establishing a local office and ground infrastructure in Uganda, enabling closer coordination with regulators and security agencies.

The company also pledged to pay taxes locally, create jobs, support digital innovation and extend reliable internet access to sectors such as education, healthcare, tourism and entrepreneurship.

Starlink’s arrival is expected to significantly reshape Uganda’s telecommunications sector, where internet penetration remains relatively low and many remote communities continue to face high costs and unreliable connectivity.

Using a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, Starlink can provide broadband access in locations where fibre-optic and mobile networks are difficult or uneconomical to deploy.

The service has already launched in several African countries, including Kenya, Rwanda and Nigeria, as governments increasingly turn to satellite technology to accelerate digital transformation.

Starlink pricing across Africa typically ranges from about $10 to $50 per month, though users must also purchase hardware, which can cost several hundred dollars depending on the market.