The National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has petitioned Elon Musk, the Chief Executive Officer of Starlink, over the disabling of internet access in Uganda.
On January 1, 2026, Nyombi Thembo, the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), petitioned Starlink Global Internet Services Uganda Ltd over the alleged illegal use of satellite internet services by individuals in Uganda.
Ben McWilliams, the Director of Starlink Market Access, said that Starlink Uganda is not selling or marketing satellite internet services in the country because it is not yet licensed by the UCC.
“We are aware that satellite services provided by affiliates of Starlink Uganda are being used illegally in the country. Please be advised that we have taken rapid and decisive action to respond to the concerns raised by the UCC,” he said.
McWilliams added that on January 1, 2026, Starlink implemented a new service restriction tool for Uganda. As a result, there are currently no Starlink terminals operating in the country.
Starlink emphasized that individuals who were operating Starlink terminals in Uganda before January 1, 2026, had purchased and activated them in countries where Starlink services are authorized, before illegally importing them into Uganda.
“Any Starlink usage in Uganda was without our approval or consent and in violation of our terms of service. Starlink Uganda has never imported or distributed terminals in Uganda. We reiterate that there are no Starlink terminals operating in Uganda as of January 1, 2026,” McWilliams said.
Reacting to the development, Bobi Wine appealed directly to Elon Musk, saying, “As you cheer the fall of a dictator in Venezuela, here in Uganda your Starlink has disabled citizens’ access to internet just days before the January 15 election, in which we seek to peacefully end President Yoweri Museveni’s 40-year leadership.”
Bobi Wine alleged that President Museveni has stifled free expression, engaged in mass killings, brutally persecuted the opposition, and suppressed citizens’ rights.
“Please reactivate Starlink internet access in Uganda so that citizens can communicate and have a fair chance at shaping their destiny. Democracy dies in darkness,” he added.
Earlier today, President Museveni said the government is open to allowing Starlink to operate in Uganda, provided the satellite internet service can significantly reduce the cost of digital connectivity.
He made the remarks while responding to concerns over the high cost of internet in Uganda and questions surrounding the recent directive to halt Starlink’s operations in the country.
The President revealed that he has held discussions with Starlink founder Elon Musk, who has been advocating for satellite-based internet as a cheaper and more effective solution, particularly for extending connectivity to hard-to-reach areas.
“I have been talking with Elon Musk. He has been telling me that his satellite is called Starlink. When I allow him to come here—although satellite was previously expensive, which is why we migrated from satellite to underground cable—he has been telling me that now satellite is cheaper,” Museveni said.
“So we are studying it, and if it is true, we shall allow Elon Musk to bring his satellites here, if they can make digital connectivity cheaper than the underground cable,” he added.
