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Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has welcomed plans by Elon Musk’s Starlink to establish a presence in the East African nation, following what he described as a “productive meeting” with representatives of the satellite internet company on Tuesday.
In a post on social media platform X, Museveni expressed optimism about the potential benefits Starlink could bring to Uganda’s underserved communities. “I appreciate their commitment to providing low-cost internet in hard-to-reach areas and establishing a presence in Uganda. They are welcome,” he wrote.
Starlink, a unit of Musk’s SpaceX, has been aggressively expanding its footprint across Africa. Already operational in over a dozen countries, it recently secured licences to operate in Somalia and Lesotho, as part of its goal to deliver affordable, high-speed satellite internet to regions with limited connectivity.
Ugandan internet users have long decried the high cost and unreliability of existing services, often citing limited market competition as a major factor. The country’s internet landscape is currently dominated by a unit of South African telecom giant MTN Group and India’s Bharti Airtel, which have faced criticism for high data costs and inconsistent service quality.
It remains unclear whether Starlink has formally applied for a licence to operate in Uganda. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which oversees the country’s telecom sector, has yet to comment on the matter despite inquiries.
If approved, Starlink’s entry could significantly alter Uganda’s digital landscape by boosting connectivity in rural and underserved areas, while introducing much-needed competition to the market.
Melissa Enoch
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