KAMPALA, Uganda — Airtel Uganda is set to announce a strategic partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink that aims to bolster mobile network coverage and reliability across Uganda, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
The collaboration will be unveiled at a high-profile event in Kampala on Friday 9, January 2026 where officials from the telecommunications sector, regulators and industry stakeholders are expected to attend. The launch will take place at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel.
Under the proposed arrangement, Airtel, one of Uganda’s largest mobile network operators, will integrate Starlink’s satellite technology with its existing infrastructure. The goal is to extend connectivity to areas where laying fibre-optic cables or erecting cell towers is challenging or prohibitively expensive.
Starlink operates via a constellation of thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit. By transmitting data from space directly to ground receivers, the system delivers higher internet speeds and lower latency than traditional satellite services. This makes it particularly valuable for rural communities, border regions, islands and locations prone to terrestrial network outages.
The technology also has the potential to provide redundant connectivity, helping telecom operators maintain service during natural disasters, infrastructure failures or other emergencies.
Regulatory status of Starlink in Uganda
The initiative comes amid an ongoing regulatory process for Starlink’s operations in Uganda. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has confirmed that licensing discussions are still underway before full commercial operations can resume.
“I informed the media that the licensing process for Starlink Global Internet Services Ltd is still ongoing until all regulatory conditions are fulfilled,” UCC Executive Director George William Nyombi Thembo said earlier this week.
“We appreciate Starlink’s recent efforts in deactivating illegal terminals as we maintain our engagement.”
Starlink deactivated its service in Uganda on January 1, 2026, after the UCC raised concerns over the presence of unlicensed satellite terminals that were imported and operated without regulatory approval.
The UCC has repeatedly emphasised that while Uganda welcomes new technologies, all operators must comply with national laws and licensing requirements.
“Our aim is to establish a technology-neutral, predictable and fair regulatory framework,” Nyombi Thembo added.
What the partnership could mean for users
For Airtel customers, the alliance with Starlink could translate into improved network stability, wider coverage in rural and hard-to-reach areas, and reduced service disruptions, particularly during peak traffic periods or critical events.
Telecommunications analysts say the move reflects a broader industry trend in which satellite technology complements traditional mobile networks.
Similar partnerships are emerging across Africa and other developing regions, as operators seek cost-effective ways to serve remote populations and bridge persistent connectivity gaps.
Airtel Uganda has not yet disclosed full technical or service rollout details, but the launch event is expected to outline implementation timelines, target areas, and potential service enhancements.
Regional connectivity context
Across East Africa, efforts to improve digital inclusion have accelerated in recent years.
Governments and private firms are investing in undersea and terrestrial fibre, 4G/5G networks and alternative technologies such as high-altitude balloons and satellites.
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Kenya and Rwanda, for example, have both introduced regulatory frameworks to accommodate satellite internet providers, including Starlink, while balancing national security and spectrum management concerns. Uganda’s phased approach reflects similar priorities.
Industry and public reactions
Consumer advocacy groups have welcomed the move, saying satellite connectivity could help narrow the urban-rural digital divide.
Businesses and educational institutions in rural districts have previously lamented limited or unreliable internet access, which constrains economic activity and remote learning opportunities.
However, some industry watchers caution that success will depend on transparent regulation, affordable pricing and sustained investment.
Satellite internet services have historically been more costly than terrestrial alternatives, although prices have declined in recent years.
As Airtel and Starlink prepare to formalise their partnership, attention will focus on whether the initiative can deliver meaningful connectivity improvements for ordinary Ugandans, particularly those in underserved communities.
