Uganda grants Starlink operating license as SpaceX unit expands African internet footprint

Uganda granted an operating license to Elon Musk’s Starlink on May 15, 2026, clearing the SpaceX satellite internet unit to begin service in the East African country, President Yoweri Museveni said in a post on X. Museveni said he oversaw the signing of an operational license agreement between the Uganda Communications Commission and Starlink. He said Starlink agreed to comply with Ugandan laws and regulatory requirements before launching service. Starlink is expanding across Africa and already operates in more than a dozen countries on the continent, including Somalia. In Uganda, the company will enter a data market dominated by MTN Group’s local unit, with Bharti Airtel’s unit as its main rival. Consumers have long complained about high costs and unreliable domestic internet service, issues often attributed to limited competition.