Uganda Mandates President’s Son’s Approval For Starlink Imports Ahead Of Election
Uganda has imposed immediate restrictions on importing Starlink satellite internet equipment, requiring citizens to obtain written permission from the country’s military chief—who is also the president’s son—just weeks before a general election.
An internal memorandum from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), dated December 19 and confirmed as genuine, instructs customs officials to halt all clearance of “Starlink technology gadgets, communication equipment and associated components”.
The memo states that any import declaration must now be “accompanied by a clearance/authorisation letter from the Chief of Defence Forces,” General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. General Kainerugaba is the son of President Yoweri Museveni, who has led Uganda for nearly four decades and is seeking re-election.
The directive, which officials said takes effect immediately, comes just weeks before the January 15 presidential and parliamentary polls. It has ignited immediate concern among opposition groups and digital rights observers, who fear it presages another government-imposed internet blackout during the sensitive electoral period.
A regime gripped by fear! They’re now saying anyone who desires to import starlink equipment must get a clearance letter from dictator Museveni’s son. Ridiculous! If they’re not planning mischief (electoral fraud), why are they so scared of people accessing interest during the… pic.twitter.com/LjyvzTHMyY
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) December 22, 2025
The government’s move focuses on a technology uniquely resistant to shutdowns. Unlike traditional internet services that rely on infrastructure within national borders, Starlink’s satellite network provides high-speed internet that is significantly harder for authorities to block. This characteristic has made it a potential game-changer for connectivity but also a challenge for governments accustomed to controlling digital communication channels.
“If they’re not planning … electoral fraud, why are they so scared of people accessing (the internet) during the electoral process?” wrote opposition leader and presidential candidate Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, on the social media platform X.
The concern is rooted in recent history. During Uganda’s 2021 election, the government cut off internet access for several days. Officials at the time said the measure was aimed at curbing disinformation, but it was widely criticised as an act of voter suppression and an obstruction to transparent electoral reporting. A government minister had earlier suggested a similar shutdown could occur during the upcoming vote.
Authorities have offered a regulatory justification for the new import rule. Ibrahim Bbosa, spokesperson for the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), stated that satellite dishes are classified as communications equipment and require mandatory “type approval” before they can be imported or used. He argued that unapproved equipment can cause harmful interference and pose safety risks, and that the UCC is working with security agencies to address illegal imports.
The restriction highlights the tension between technological innovation and state control. Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has applied for a license to operate formally in Uganda, but does not yet have one. Despite this, many Ugandans have been importing user terminals, likely attracted by the promise of reliable internet in a country where, by some estimates, only 27-30% of the rural population has access.
The service is seen as particularly transformative for Africa, where it is now operational in 26 countries, offering an alternative in regions with weak physical infrastructure. However, its expansion has been uneven, often meeting regulatory resistance and concerns from governments over sovereignty and control.
The decision to now place approval for a key communication technology directly in the hands of the president’s son, who leads the military, has intensified scrutiny of the government’s intentions in the final weeks of the campaign.
