Uganda’s government is tightening its grip on satellite internet hardware just weeks before a high-stakes national election, sparking fears of a planned digital crackdown.
The big picture
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, is seeking to extend his 39-year rule in a Jan. 15 vote against opposition leader Bobi Wine. By restricting Starlink, the government is targeting a key tool used to bypass traditional internet blackouts.
State of play
A leaked memo from the Uganda Revenue Authority, later confirmed as genuine, reveals that all Starlink equipment imports now require personal clearance from the head of the military, Muhoozi Kainerugaba—who is also Museveni’s son.
- The justification: The revenue authority claims the restrictions are standard practice for controlling communication technology.
- The reality: Starlink does not yet have an official license in Uganda, but citizens have been increasingly importing kits to secure reliable, uncensored internet.
Between the lines
This move follows a pattern of digital suppression. During the 2021 election, Museveni’s government enforced a total internet blackout for several days.
- Bobi Wine’s take: The pop star-turned-politician called the move “ridiculous” on X, questioning why the state is “so scared of people accessing the internet” if they aren’t planning electoral fraud.
- The Museveni record: While credited with historical stability, Museveni has twice amended the constitution to scrap age and term limits. Critics view the Starlink ban as the latest effort to stifle dissent and human rights monitoring.
What to watch
Whether the military clearance requirement effectively halts the flow of satellite kits before Jan. 15, and if the government will move to a full terrestrial internet shutdown as the polls open.
Source: Reuters
