Starlink has shut down access to its satellite internet service in Uganda after receiving instructions from the Uganda Communications Commission.
The US-based company said the service is not yet authorised to operate in the country because its local entity, Starlink Global Internet Services Uganda Ltd, has not been granted a licence to sell or promote the technology.
In a formal response to the regulator dated January 1, 2026, Starlink explained that it has never officially introduced its equipment or services into Uganda. The letter was written by Ben MacWilliams, the company’s Director for Market Access at Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
According to Starlink, the devices that were previously used in Uganda were not supplied through the company’s Ugandan office. Instead, the terminals were bought and activated in countries where Starlink is approved, then brought into Uganda without authorisation.
The company said this made the use of the service unlawful and a violation of its own terms. It added that it is committed to following Ugandan law and will only operate once all regulatory requirements are met.
After discussions with the Uganda Communications Commission, Starlink activated a technical block on January 1, 2026, preventing its service from working within Uganda. The company says there are now no active Starlink connections in the country.
This move came days after a confidential Uganda Revenue Authority memo dated December 19, 2025, was leaked to the public. The document, signed by Commissioner for Customs Asadu Kigozi Kisitu, directed customs officers to stop the importation of Starlink equipment unless importers obtained approval from the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.
The memo triggered strong public reaction, with questions raised about the involvement of military leadership under Muhoozi Kainerugaba in regulating civilian communication tools. The timing also raised suspicion among sections of the public, as the country approaches mid-January general elections, with fears of tighter control over internet access.
Starlink has maintained that it did not approve any earlier use of its service in Uganda and says it will not relaunch operations until its licensing process is fully completed and cleared by authorities.
