ENTEBBE, Uganda — Uganda has granted a licence to Starlink, marking a significant step in the country’s digital expansion strategy while underscoring a broader continental debate over control, competition and connectivity.
The agreement, signed on May 15 at State House Entebbe and witnessed by President Yoweri Museveni, follows months of negotiations between the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX.
Under the licence, Starlink will be permitted to begin commercial operations in Uganda but must meet strict regulatory requirements.
These include establishing a physical presence in the country, deploying a national gateway, registering all user devices and maintaining local technical and legal teams.
Authorities say the conditions are designed to ensure operational transparency and compliance with national security, taxation and data governance frameworks.
“Our interest is security, revenue assurance and knowing exactly what is happening within the telecommunications ecosystem,” Museveni said.
Starlink’s expansion across Africa has been rapid, but uneven.
The service is already operational in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and Ghana, where it has helped extend connectivity to rural and underserved areas.
However, several governments have slowed or blocked its entry.
Namibia has rejected Starlink’s application over compliance concerns, while South Africa has yet to approve operations, citing local ownership and empowerment requirements. Cameroon has also delayed authorisation.
The result is a fragmented regulatory landscape in which access to satellite broadband depends as much on national policy as on technological reach.
Dr Aminah Zawedde said Uganda’s approval followed extensive consultations aimed at aligning Starlink’s operations with domestic regulatory frameworks.
“Under this licence, we have agreed on clear obligations including a national gateway, device registration and a physical presence in Uganda to ensure compliance and accountability,” she said.
Officials say the framework seeks to strike a balance between attracting investment and safeguarding national interests, particularly around data control and cybersecurity.
Starlink sees Uganda as a key growth market, particularly in rural areas where traditional broadband infrastructure remains limited.
Company representative Ryan Goodnight said the rollout would improve connectivity and support sectors such as education and healthcare.
“We are very excited to bring this network to Uganda,” he said, adding that the company plans to collaborate with public institutions as part of its expansion.
Uganda’s telecommunications market has long been dominated by mobile network operators and fibre providers, which have invested heavily in terrestrial infrastructure.
Analysts say satellite internet could accelerate broadband penetration in remote regions, where infrastructure costs have slowed expansion.
However, Starlink’s entry is also expected to introduce new competitive pressures, particularly in low-density markets where traditional operators face higher deployment costs.
Over time, the presence of satellite broadband could influence pricing models and force incumbents to rethink long-term infrastructure strategies.
Across Africa, governments remain divided on how to regulate satellite internet providers.
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While some countries have embraced Starlink as part of digital inclusion strategies, others have adopted a more cautious approach, prioritising sovereignty, ownership rules and regulatory oversight.
Uganda’s decision places it among early adopters, but with stricter operational controls than some of its peers.
The licensing of Starlink represents a pivotal moment in Uganda’s digital transformation agenda.
While the service is expected to initially target underserved regions, its long-term impact could reshape the country’s telecommunications landscape.
As satellite, mobile and fibre networks increasingly converge, Uganda—like much of Africa—faces a critical balancing act: expanding access to the digital economy while maintaining control over the infrastructure that underpins it.
