SpaceX-owned Starlink has secured a major breakthrough in Uganda after signing a Memorandum of Understanding and operational licence agreement with the regulator, paving the way for the satellite internet provider to officially launch services in the country.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni witnessed the signing ceremony between Starlink and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) on Friday, describing the agreement as an important step towards strengthening regulatory compliance and accountability in the telecommunications sector.
“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,” Museveni said.
“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 agreement marks a significant turnaround for the Elon Musk-owned company, which was forced to suspend access to its satellite internet services in Uganda in January after the UCC said it was operating without a local licence.
The shutdown came shortly after Ugandan authorities imposed tighter military oversight on the importation of Starlink equipment, reflecting growing concerns among African governments over national security, data sovereignty and regulatory control.
Reacting to the latest development, the US Embassy in Uganda welcomed Starlink’s entry into the market.
“Congratulations on Starlink’s arrival in Uganda to connect Ugandans all over the country to internet access for the first time with cutting-edge American satellite technology,” the embassy said.
Starlink’s expansion across Africa has increasingly been shaped by regulatory and political challenges, despite strong demand for affordable high-speed internet in underserved areas.
The company continues to face resistance in several markets due to strict local ownership requirements, national security concerns, and pressure from domestic telecommunications operators and regulators.
In South Africa, for example, communications regulator requires telecommunications licensees to allocate at least 30% equity ownership to historically disadvantaged groups under the country’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment framework.
SpaceX has so far resisted such ownership transfer requirements, delaying Starlink’s formal entry into one of Africa’s largest telecoms markets.
Elsewhere, regulators in countries including Namibia have ordered Starlink to halt operations or block local terminals until licensing frameworks are formally approved.
Despite these hurdles, Starlink has continued to expand its African footprint and is currently active in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Benin, eSwatini, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, South Sudan, Senegal, Botswana, Ghana and Zimbabwe.
The company’s push to bridge Africa’s digital divide through satellite connectivity is expected to remain closely tied to how governments balance innovation, competition and national regulatory interests.
Share
