Uganda has granted a licence to Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, paving the way for its entry into the East African market.
President Yoweri Museveni confirmed the development on Friday, saying he had presided over the signing of an operational agreement between the Uganda Communications Commission and Starlink.
The agreement marks a key step toward the rollout of Starlink services in Uganda, with Museveni noting that the company had committed to complying with local laws and regulatory requirements.
Starlink has been expanding rapidly across Africa and is already active in more than a dozen countries, including Somalia, as it seeks to tap into underserved internet markets.
Its entry into Uganda could reshape the country’s connectivity landscape, where consumers have long raised concerns over high costs and unreliable service. Limited competition has been cited as a major factor.
The data market is currently dominated by a unit of MTN Group, alongside competition from Bharti Airtel, leaving room for new entrants to disrupt pricing and service quality.
Starlink’s satellite-based model is expected to improve access, particularly in rural and remote areas where traditional infrastructure remains limited.
