President Yoweri Museveni has expressed support for a potential partnership with Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to extend affordable and reliable internet access across Uganda—particularly in remote and underserved regions.
“Yesterday in Nakasero, I had a productive meeting with Starlink representatives, Ben MacWilliams and Brandi Oliver, brought to me by Ambassador Adonia Ayebare and Ambassador Popp,” Museveni announced via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday.
“I appreciate their commitment to providing low-cost internet in hard-to-reach areas and establishing a presence in Uganda. They are welcome.”
This development marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s efforts to bridge the digital divide, with internet penetration still hovering at just 27% of the population.
The meeting aligns with Uganda’s broader agenda to enhance digital infrastructure and fast-track socioeconomic development through improved access to technology.
Former Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) Board Chairman Morrison Rwakakamba hailed the development as transformative:
“This is powerful, Mr. President—make it happen as Uganda moves and leaps towards a great technology future.”
Rwakakamba emphasized that Starlink’s entry into Uganda could play a pivotal role in achieving the objectives of Uganda Vision 2030 and the National Plan for Sustainable Development.
According to Rwakakamba, Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency satellite internet could significantly boost national connectivity by overcoming Uganda’s challenging terrain—including rural and mountainous areas.
He noted the technology’s potential to:
Improve education by enabling online learning and digital skills development.
Support small businesses, which contribute over 80% of Uganda’s GDP, to access e-commerce platforms and new markets.
Enhance healthcare delivery through telemedicine, connecting local providers with global specialists.
Strengthen disaster response by maintaining communication during emergencies such as floods or mudslide
Starlink is rapidly expanding across Africa, with services already launched in Nigeria, Rwanda, and Kenya. Uganda may soon join that list, with the government signaling openness to policy alignment and regulatory support.
As Uganda pushes for greater digital inclusion, this potential partnership represents a bold step toward nationwide connectivity and future-ready development.
