President Yoweri Museveni met with top representatives from Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet company under SpaceX, to talk about bringing fast and affordable internet to more parts of Uganda—especially areas that are hard to reach. The meeting took place yesterday at State House in Nakasero and is part of Uganda’s wider plan to speed up its digital growth and make the economy more inclusive.
The discussion was set up with help from Uganda’s ambassador to the U.S., Robie Kakonge Adonia, along with U.S. Ambassador William W. Popp. Leading the Starlink team were Ben MacWilliams, who heads global licensing, and Brandi Oliver, in charge of developing the African market. They talked about how Starlink’s tech could help bridge the country’s digital divide by cutting through the usual infrastructure problems.
Museveni later posted on X (formerly Twitter), thanking Starlink for their interest in Uganda and for working to connect the country’s remote communities. He welcomed their efforts and signaled strong government support for the initiative.
Starlink’s service works by connecting users to a network of low-earth orbit satellites. It’s been praised for delivering high-speed internet to places where laying cables or building towers is just too expensive or impractical. In Uganda—where a large number of people still don’t have internet access—this kind of solution could be a game-changer.
For Starlink, Uganda offers a chance to break into East Africa’s growing tech market. Getting the green light to operate here would add to its growing list of African countries, which currently stands at 15. For Uganda, the deal fits right into its Digital Uganda Vision 2040, which aims to build a smarter, more connected nation.
The idea is especially promising for areas that are hard to reach with traditional infrastructure. One tech expert explained that satellite internet skips the need for things like fiber cables or cell towers. And if it’s priced right, it could open doors for millions of people who’ve been left out of the digital world.
That said, cost remains a sticking point. Right now, Starlink’s equipment runs about US$400—or roughly UGX1.5 million. For many Ugandans, whose average monthly income is around US$200 (UGX750,000), that’s a big ask. Some users might have to team up and share a connection, and Starlink has hinted it may offer lower-cost options for low-income countries.
It’s still unclear whether Starlink has officially applied for a license to operate in Uganda. If not, the next step would be to submit a proposal to the Uganda Communications Commission. If things move forward, pilot programs could start sometime in 2025, with full-scale coverage expected by 2026—right in line with Starlink’s service map.
Uganda isn’t alone in this push. Across Africa, more governments are turning to satellite internet to help meet growing demand for connectivity. But making it work long-term will require a solid partnership between private companies and public regulators to make sure everyone can benefit.
