Uganda’s government has imposed new restrictions on the importation of Starlink satellite internet equipment just weeks before national elections, raising fresh fears within the opposition that the authorities may again shut down internet access during the voting period.
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, is seeking to extend his nearly 40-year rule in the January 15 election, where he will once again face opposition leader Bobi Wine, 43. During the 2021 polls, the government cut internet access for several days, a move widely criticized by rights groups and opposition parties.
The new restrictions came to light through a leaked memo dated December 19 from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), later confirmed as authentic. The directive states that any imports of “Starlink technology gadgets, communication equipment and associated components” must now receive clearance from the head of the military, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba—President Museveni’s son.
While the URA defended the move, saying many countries control advanced communication technology imports, critics believe it is politically motivated. Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is not yet officially licensed in Uganda, but many citizens have been privately importing and using the devices.
Opposition leader Bobi Wine condemned the decision, calling it “ridiculous” and suggesting it signals plans to interfere with the election process. “If they are not planning electoral fraud, why are they so scared of people accessing the internet?” he wrote on social media.
Museveni, a former rebel leader, is credited by supporters with stabilizing Uganda and boosting development, while critics accuse his government of suppressing dissent and undermining democratic institutions. Constitutional changes removing term and age limits have allowed him to remain in power.
With the election approaching, the Starlink restrictions have deepened concerns about transparency and access to information, especially in a country where digital communication plays a key role in political mobilization and election monitoring.