Starlink Blocks Ugandan Users After Government Request

American satellite internet provider Starlink has disabled its service for users in Uganda following a request from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), a decision that has sparked debate in the country, especially with national elections just days away.

On January 1, 2026, Starlink activated a service restriction tool that effectively took all Starlink terminals offline within Uganda’s borders. According to a letter dated January 2, signed by Ben MacWilliams, Director of Market Access at Space Exploration Technologies Corp (Starlink’s parent company), the action came at the request of the UCC, which raised concerns about the unauthorised use of satellite internet in the country. Starlink clarified it “does not sell, market, or directly provide satellite internet services in Uganda because it is not yet licensed by the UCC.”

Starlink explained that any terminals in use in Uganda before January 1 were devices that had been purchased and activated in countries where the service is officially authorised, and then brought into Uganda without approval. The company said this use violated its terms of service and was conducted “without our approval or consent.”

Regulation, Licensing, and Government Position

The UCC has stressed that Starlink has not fulfilled Uganda’s regulatory requirements to operate commercially. At a press briefing, the commission’s executive director Director, Mr Nyombi Thembo said Starlink “has expressed interest in offering satellite-based broadband services in Uganda but has not yet met all mandatory pre-licensing requirements under Ugandan law.”

He further clarified that under the Uganda Communications Act and existing licensing regulations, no individual or organisation whether local or foreign is permitted to offer telecommunications services in Uganda without authorisation from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

Nyombi also disclosed that Starlink terminals had been unlawfully imported, sold, installed, and operated within the country, a situation partly attributed to signal spill-over from neighbouring countries where the satellite internet service is officially licensed.

Following engagements with Starlink, UCC said the company committed to implementing technical measures aimed at preventing its services from extending into Uganda. However, when these measures proved inadequate, the regulator issued further directives, requiring Starlink to immediately implement effective geolocation restrictions.

UCC has since confirmed that Starlink complied with the instructions, and that all previously active Starlink terminals in Uganda are now offline after the deployment of additional technical controls by the company.

Ugandan authorities have publicly denied that the move is connected to the January 15, 2026 general election, saying claims of a planned internet shutdown are false and intended to cause fear and confusion. The government maintains that no directive has been issued to disrupt internet access more broadly during the electoral period.

Political Reactions and Controversy

Despite official denials, the timing has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures and digital rights advocates. Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) took to social media to urge Starlink’s owner, Elon Musk, to restore the service. He wrote:

“…here in Uganda your Starlink has disabled citizens’ access to its internet just days to the January 15th election … Democracy dies in darkness!”

Hey @elonmusk, as you cheer the fall of a dictator in Venezuela, here in Uganda your @Starlink has disabled citizens’ access to its internet just days to the January 15th election in which we seek to peacefully end Museveni’s 40-year-old dictatorship!

Like other dictators,… pic.twitter.com/fv4lwHhwBp

— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) January 4, 2026

Critics argue that suspending independent internet access ahead of elections could limit free communication, impede transparency, and disadvantage political mobilization  particularly in areas where terrestrial internet connectivity is weak or unreliable.

What This Means Going Forward

For Starlink

Starlink has signalled that it is willing to work with Ugandan authorities to complete the regulatory process and secure the necessary licence so it can offer services legally in the future. However, until the licensing hurdles are cleared, Starlink’s services will remain offline in the country, and no active terminals are legally operational as of January 1, 2026.

For Uganda

The incident highlights a broader tug-of-war between new technologies that offer independent connectivity and state regulatory frameworks designed to control telecommunications. Satellite internet  which bypasses traditional infrastructure can be both an opportunity for broader access and a challenge to governments that view unregulated communication pathways as risks, especially around politically sensitive periods.

Regulators in other countries have similarly insisted on strict licensing and approval processes for satellite internet operations, framing them as necessary to protect national interests and ensure orderly market entry.

For the Public and Civil Society

Critics of the move say that restricting access to alternative internet services could inhibit citizens’ ability to communicate freely during critical moments like elections. Meanwhile, proponents of regulatory enforcement argue that maintaining the legal framework ensures consumer protection, accountability, and safety.