A decision by Ugandan authorities to subject Starlink satellite internet equipment to military clearance has triggered widespread concern, with critics warning the move could enable internet shutdowns or selective connectivity restrictions during the upcoming January general elections.
A Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) directive dated December 19, 2025, instructs customs officials to block the importation of all Starlink-related gadgets, communication equipment, and components unless importers present a formal authorisation letter from the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).
The order took immediate effect, placing satellite-based internet under direct security oversight weeks before voters head to the polls. The timing has alarmed civil society actors and online users who recall previous elections in Uganda marked by social media blackouts, reduced internet speeds and nationwide shutdowns.
Many fear that restricting access to alternative, space-based connectivity could limit citizens’ ability to communicate, organise, and share information if terrestrial networks are disrupted after voting.
Governance and human rights activist Sarah Birete described the directive as an early warning sign. “Measures to block the internet in Uganda ahead of the elections have started with URA blocking Starlink technology gadgets,” she wrote on X.
Others questioned why a civilian communications technology now requires military approval. “Why should the CDF first clear the importation?” asked one user, Sam Njakoogo, reflecting a broader unease about the securitisation of internet access.
The requirement for UPDF clearance has raised fears that authorities are seeking to ensure that all communication channels—terrestrial or satellite—remain subject to state control during the election period.
The Uganda Communications Commission, in a statement issued on 23rd December, said section 7 and 24 of the Communication Equipment Type Approval Regulations 2019 provide that no device, apparatus, or equipment shall be connected to the communication network in Uganda unless that same has been approved by the Commission and that no communication device, apparatus shall be sold, leased, imported, shipped or distributed within the country without approval from the commission.
UCC Executive Director Nyombi Tembo said the commission has learned that certain individuals have imported communication devices without prior approval of the commission. “The commission is particularly concerned about t importation of devices used to facilitate Low Orbit Earth (LEO) satellite connections, such as Starlink, HughesNet, ViaSat, Oneweb ….” He said He warned that illegal importation and distribution, and use of unapproved communication devices, greatly undermine the integrity of the communication network and pose a substantial threat to the country’s communications and security infrastructure. Nyombi Tembo confirmed that the commission has neither licensed any satellite internet provider nor type-approved any equipment /device used to support/ facilitate the provision or receipt of satellite internet connection in Uganda.
Critics argue that this undermines trust and deepens concerns about shrinking civic space and information freedoms.
Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo is one of the Ugandans who have expressed fear about the new directive. “At an event last year in Northern Uganda, I saw ordinary bloggers and influencers streaming events live using Starlink devices. I was curious and asked how it was working. We got the network from a Kenyan satellite, they told me. It streams perfectly in Northern Uganda, so these on importation of @starling devices in Uganda may be belated, mindless attempts to limit internet access during elections.” He said, “Some folks have forgotten ahead of you, and they will need Muhoozi’s permission to stream Starlink.”
Supporters of tighter oversight counter that satellite internet is a dual-use technology with potential security and intelligence implications, justifying enhanced scrutiny.
As satellite-to-phone connectivity edges closer to everyday use, Uganda’s Starlink decision highlights a growing global tension: how to expand internet access to the unconnected while preserving national sovereignty, security, and political control.
With elections approaching, the balance between safeguarding the state and protecting citizens’ digital rights is now under sharper scrutiny than ever before.
Uganda is not the first country ban the importation of the Starlink technology and communications. In April 2024, Cameroon’s Director General of Customs, Fongod Edwin Nuvaga said the Starlink technology that enabled unrestricted internet connection posed threats to national security because it was subject to the telecommunication board’s oversight.
Other countries, including India, have conditioned approvals on strict security and data oversight requirements, while Russia effectively bars Starlink services altogether.
Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology represents a significant shift in how mobile connectivity is delivered. Unlike traditional satellite internet, which requires a ground terminal or dish, Direct-to-Cell allows ordinary LTE smartphones to connect directly to low-Earth-orbit satellites as if those satellites were mobile network base stations.
When a phone moves out of range of a terrestrial cell tower, it automatically links to a Starlink satellite overhead, without requiring special equipment, a new SIM card or a separate subscription.
The user experience mirrors a normal mobile network—calls, texts, and data services continue—except that the infrastructure providing the signal is in orbit rather than on the ground.
Initial deployments support text messaging and limited data services, with future satellite generations expected to deliver speeds fast enough for voice calls, video streaming and app-based services.
The technology is already live in the United States, Canada, and Ukraine through partnerships with mobile network operators. While this technology is raising concerns in security circles, some of the major Telecoms because of its cost implications.
The economics work because the cost of infrastructure is spread across a global satellite network rather than localized, high-cost ground builds. It is also perceived as an enabler for universal coverage for some of the operators.
African telecom operators view Direct-to-Cell as a solution to the continent’s persistent connectivity gaps. Building and maintaining cell towers in remote areas can cost upwards of $150,000 per site, often serving only a small population, making expansion financially unattractive.
Satellite connectivity reverses this equation. Instead of investing in thousands of isolated towers, operators can rely on a shared, global satellite network.
Airtel Africa, in May this year, entered a partnership with SpaceX to roll out Starlink Direct-to-Cell services across 14 African markets, including Uganda, beginning in 2026.
The service will cover Airtel’s 174 million customers, automatically extending coverage into areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks. “Airtel Africa remains committed to delivering a great experience to our customers by improving access to reliable and contiguous mobile connectivity solutions,” said Sunil Taldar, Airtel Africa’s MD and CEO.
“Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology complements the terrestrial infrastructure and even reaches areas where deploying terrestrial network solutions is challenging.” Vodacom Group signed a similar agreement with Starlink to enhance rural coverage and enterprise connectivity, signalling that satellite-to-mobile services are moving rapidly into the telecom mainstream.
Chad Gibbs, Vice President of Starlink Operations, SpaceX: “Starlink is already serving people, businesses, and organizations in 25 African countries. By collaborating with Vodacom, Starlink can deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity to even more customers, transforming lives and communities across the continent.”
The expansion of satellite connectivity carries major implications for digital inclusion. According to GSMA Intelligence, nearly half of the world’s 400 million people without any mobile broadband coverage live in sub-Saharan Africa. For rural health workers, farmers, and schools, uninterrupted connectivity can be transformative rather than incremental.
At the same time, governments worldwide are grappling with how to regulate a technology that physically transcends national borders. Satellite signals are harder to monitor, block, or selectively shut down using conventional tools.
For states accustomed to controlling terrestrial networks during emergencies or elections, satellite-based connectivity presents both a regulatory challenge and a political dilemma.
***URN***