The Ugandan government has restricted the import of Starlink satellite internet equipment just weeks before the January 15 national election, requiring that all such imports now receive personal clearance from the head of the military, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is President Yoweri Museveni’s son.
This directive, which came to light through a leaked Uganda Revenue Authority memo, has fueled opposition fears that the government is planning another internet blackout, similar to the one imposed during the 2021 election.
Opposition leader Bobi Wine, who is again challenging the 81-year-old Museveni, called the restrictions “ridiculous” and questioned if the government was preparing for electoral fraud.
While government officials have tried to downplay the new rules by stating that many countries control communication technology imports for security and regulatory reasons, the move is significant as Starlink is not yet officially licensed in Uganda, though many citizens have already been using the service.
This restriction comes just months after President Museveni had expressed interest in Starlink’s potential to bring affordable, high-speed internet to the country’s rural areas.
