Starlink Cuts Internet Service in Uganda Ahead of Pivotal Elections
Kampala, Uganda – Satellite internet provider Starlink has enacted a complete service blackout across Uganda, leaving subscribers without connectivity just weeks before the country’s general elections. The shutdown, effective January 1, follows a directive from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which states the company was operating without a valid license.
According to the UCC, Starlink’s services in the East African nation were “illegally operating.” In response, Starlink confirmed it has used a “service restriction tool” to disable all user terminals in Uganda and is now working with regulators to finalise its licensing. As of this week, there are no active Starlink terminals in the country.
The timing of the disruption has intensified scrutiny, coming merely days before Uganda’s nationwide elections scheduled for January 15. Starlink’s satellite-based service is particularly vital in remote and rural regions where traditional broadband infrastructure is poor or non-existent. Its shutdown has cut off a key channel for information, communication, and, for some, critical business operations.
“This raises immediate concerns about access to information during a critical democratic process,” said Agnes Nyakato, a digital rights advocate based in Kampala. “While licensing compliance is important, the abrupt severing of a major internet source on the eve of elections inevitably fuels debate about transparency and freedom.”
The Ugandan government has previously faced international criticism for imposing internet restrictions during politically sensitive periods, including a widely condemned social media shutdown during the 2021 elections. Authorities have stated the current action against Starlink is purely a regulatory enforcement issue.
In a brief statement, Starlink said it “hopes to have the issue resolved soon,” but provided no timeline for restoration of service. The blackout leaves customers, including businesses, NGOs, and media outlets that relied on the high-speed service, scrambling for alternatives as the nation prepares to go to the polls.
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