President Museveni has welcomed Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, to begin operations in Uganda, saying its promise to deliver low-cost broadband to hard-to-reach areas could help close the country’s long-standing digital divide.
Museveni made the announcement following a meeting at State Lodge Nakasero with Starlink officials Ben MacWilliams and Brandi Oliver, who were accompanied by Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, and US Ambassador William Popp.
“Yesterday in Nakasero, I had a productive meeting with Starlink representatives,” Museveni said in a post on his official X account.
“I appreciate their commitment to providing low-cost internet in hard-to-reach areas and establishing a presence in Uganda. They are welcome.”
Starlink is a satellite-based internet service operated by Musk’s aerospace firm SpaceX.
It delivers broadband using a network of low-Earth orbit satellites, bypassing the need for traditional fibre-optic infrastructure and cell towers, which are still lacking in many rural areas.
Despite strides in internet access, Uganda continues to lag behind regional peers in terms of affordability and coverage.
According to the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), 1GB of mobile data in Uganda costs an average of $0.84 (about Shs3,234), which is higher than in Kenya ($0.48) and Rwanda ($0.55).
When measured against income, the cost burden in Uganda remains among the highest in East Africa, particularly for low-income users.
“Starlink's entry is a significant boost to our ambition for universal access,” said Ibrahim Bbosa, spokesperson for the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
“If implemented well, this could support e-learning, e-health, and digital inclusion in remote parts of Uganda.”
Uganda's internet penetration stood at around 58% as of 2023, according to UCC, but connectivity is heavily skewed toward urban centres.
In many rural communities, limited access to electricity and network infrastructure continues to hinder both digital participation and innovation.
Starlink’s model relies on user-owned equipment—a satellite dish and router—designed to deliver speeds comparable to fibre, even in remote locations.
While the hardware cost (typically around $500 globally) remains a challenge for low-income households, the company has in other African countries explored subsidies and partnership models to ease adoption.
Digital rights activists also view the development with cautious optimism.
“Affordable and reliable internet is not a luxury—it’s a right,” said Dorothy Mukasa, executive director of Unwanted Witness.
“Starlink could help decentralise access and protect freedom of expression in rural Uganda.”
Starlink has already launched in several African countries, including Nigeria, Rwanda, and Mozambique, and is in the process of securing licenses in others.
It remains unclear what regulatory approvals are still required in Uganda, but Museveni’s public endorsement indicates political goodwill to expedite the process.
“This partnership has the potential to transform rural livelihoods, education delivery, and small-scale innovation,” Museveni added.
“We welcome all players committed to Uganda’s development journey.”
As Uganda intensifies its digital transformation agenda under Vision 2040, partnerships with global technology players like Starlink may offer an opportunity to leapfrog infrastructure gaps that have held back inclusive growth in the digital economy.