President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has expressed optimism over Starlink’s entry into the Ugandan market, following a high-level meeting with the company’s representatives at State House, Nakasero.
“Yesterday in Nakasero, I had a productive meeting with Starlink representatives, Ben MacWilliams and Brandi Oliver, brought to me by Ambassador Adonia and Ambassador Popp,” President Museveni announced. “I appreciate their commitment to providing low-cost internet in hard-to-reach areas and establishing a presence in Uganda. They are welcome.”
The President’s remarks come at a time when Uganda is accelerating its efforts toward achieving universal internet access and integrating digital infrastructure into national development priorities.
Morris Rwakakamba, former Chairperson of the Uganda Investment Authority, emphasized the strategic value of Starlink’s operations in Uganda, noting that their presence will significantly enhance the country’s connectivity goals and drive inclusive economic development in line with Uganda Vision 2030 and the National Plan for Sustainable Development.
According to Rwakakamba, Starlink’s impact will be far-reaching and transformational. The company is expected to raise Uganda’s current internet penetration rate, which stands at just 27%, by providing reliable connectivity across challenging terrains including hills, plains, and mountainous regions. This will bridge the digital divide, ensuring that both urban and rural areas benefit from equal access to internet services.
“Starlink could enable access to online educational tools and resources that would allow citizens to learn and adopt new skills and technologies,” Rwakakamba said.
He added that the educational benefits would extend to learners at all levels and empower young people with the digital literacy necessary for modern employment and entrepreneurship.
Further, he highlighted that the resulting access and innovation would be particularly valuable for Uganda’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which constitute about 80% of the country’s GDP. Improved digital infrastructure would enable these businesses to operate more efficiently, reach new markets, and scale sustainably.
In the health sector, Starlink’s services could transform the delivery of care by enabling remote consultations and improving collaboration between local health workers and international medical experts. This is particularly crucial in remote regions where medical facilities are sparse or inaccessible.
Rwakakamba also noted the importance of connectivity during emergencies. “Starlink could ensure communications redundancy during floods and mudslides that impact Uganda almost yearly, resulting in millions of dollars in infrastructure damage and economic loss,” he said.
Reliable communication during such disasters would support quicker response times and better coordination among emergency teams.
