(Ecofin Agency) - • President Museveni met with Starlink to discuss the company’s possible launch in Uganda
• The move could improve internet access in underserved regions through satellite technology
• Local users face poor service quality due to weak infrastructure and limited competition
Uganda may soon see a new player in its internet sector. President Yoweri Museveni announced yesterday he held talks with Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by U.S. company SpaceX. The meeting focused on the company’s potential entry into Uganda’s digital market.
“I had a productive meeting with Starlink representatives, Ben MacWilliams and Brandi Oliver, brought to me by Ambassador Adonia and Ambassador Popp,” Museveni said. “I appreciate their commitment to providing low-cost internet in hard-to-reach areas and establishing a presence in Uganda. They are welcome.”
Starlink has been expanding steadily across Africa, already operating in around 15 countries. Its arrival in Uganda would add competition to a market that has long been dominated by a handful of telecom operators. Many Ugandans have raised concerns about the poor quality of local internet services, especially in rural areas where coverage is patchy and outages are frequent.
The government has not confirmed whether Starlink has formally applied for a license. However, the company’s interest comes at a time when Uganda is pushing to speed up its digital transformation.
If Starlink enters the market, it could offer an alternative for communities that have been left behind by traditional infrastructure.
The meeting with Museveni signals growing momentum for Starlink’s African expansion and could mark the start of a new phase in Uganda’s connectivity landscape.
Adoni Conrad Quenum