The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has imposed an immediate restriction on the importation and customs clearance of Elon Musk’s Starlink technology and other communication equipment, requiring special authorization from the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) before such items can enter the country.

The directive is contained in a memorandum dated December 19, 2025, signed by Asadu Kigozi Kisitu of the Customs Commissionerate Department (CCD), and addressed to all customs staff across the country.

“This communication serves to officially notify staff about the immediate restriction on the importation and customs clearance of Starlink technology gadgets, communication equipment and associated components,” the memorandum states.

According to the guidance issued by Kisitu, any importer seeking to clear Starlink-related devices or communication equipment must first obtain a clearance or authorization letter from the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces.

“Any import declaration of the aforementioned items should be accompanied by a clearance or authorization letter from the Chief of Defence Forces – Uganda Peoples Defence Forces,” the memo adds.

URA emphasized that the directive takes effect immediately and applies to all customs entry points, placing responsibility on customs officers to ensure strict compliance.

“This guidance takes effect immediately and all staff are expected to adhere to it,” Kisitu notes in the communication.

Although URA did not publicly outline the reasons behind the restriction, the move highlights increased scrutiny over satellite-based internet technology and advanced communication equipment, which authorities increasingly consider sensitive due to national security and regulatory concerns.

The memorandum was copied to the Commissioner General, underscoring the importance of the directive within the tax and customs administration as URA reinforces control over the importation of specialized communication technologies.

Responding to the debate on social media, URA Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, Kalumba dismissed claims that the directive was politically motivated, saying the public debate is based on a misunderstanding of standard customs and security procedures.

“There is nothing new about requesting security clearance and government licensing for entities importing sensitive communication equipment,” Kalumba said.

He stressed that Uganda is not acting in isolation and that similar requirements exist across the world.

“It is not only Uganda that asks for security clearance. This is a worldwide practice carried out by many countries,” Kalumba noted, urging the public to view the directive in its proper context.

“So let us not create a storm in a teacup,” he added.

Kalumba further explained that the importation of controlled or sensitive communication technologies is subject to strict regulation globally, often involving licensing regimes, product-specific approvals, and security vetting by customs authorities and specialized government agencies.

“These measures are intended to safeguard national security by ensuring that sensitive communication technologies are not misused or allowed to fall into the wrong hands,” he said.

He also pointed to international precedents, noting that several countries require security clearance before approving the rollout or importation of Starlink equipment and services.

“Countries such as India, Pakistan, South Africa, Senegal, Vietnam and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others, have all required security clearance before the rollout of Starlink services,” Kalumba said.

URA officials maintain that Uganda’s approach mirrors these international practices, emphasizing that prior security clearance is a common regulatory requirement in jurisdictions where Starlink technology is licensed and deployed.

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The Electoral Commission (EC) has warned voters against lingering at polling stations after casting their ballots or engaging in acts that may be interpreted as demanding, protecting, or influencing votes, saying such conduct violates the law and undermines the integrity of elections.

In a statement issued on December 18, 2025, EC chairperson Simon Byabakama said voters are only permitted to be at polling stations for the purpose of voting and must leave immediately after.

“A voter is only allowed to be present at a polling station for purposes of voting. After voting, the voter must leave the polling station and its immediate surroundings,” Byabakama said.

He stressed that the responsibility of safeguarding votes does not lie with voters or candidates, but with duly appointed polling agents accredited by the Commission.

“The duty of safeguarding the interests of a candidate, including the votes cast, rests with polling agents appointed in accordance with the law. Candidates and voters should not turn polling stations into campaign or mobilisation centres,” Byabakama said.

The EC chairperson warned that any voter or supporter who remains at or near a polling station without lawful authority risks arrest for interfering with the orderly conduct of polling.

“Any person who stays at a polling station without being a voter in the process of voting or an accredited agent is liable to arrest for disrupting the voting process,” he added.

Byabakama further clarified that voters who wish to observe the counting of votes are only allowed to return at the official close of polling time.

“Voters who wish to observe the counting of votes may return at 4:00pm, but they must do so in an orderly manner and in compliance with the guidelines issued by the Commission,” he said.

The EC’s guidance echoes earlier public statements by Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who has repeatedly cautioned voters and political actors to strictly observe electoral laws on polling day.

“The law is clear. Polling stations are not places for crowds, arguments or enforcement of perceived rights. People must vote and leave, and only return to observe counting as provided for under the law,” Kiwanuka said in recent remarks carried by several media outlets.

Similarly, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, recently urged voters to keep a safe distance from polling stations to avoid confusion and potential violence.

The Electoral Commission has reiterated that maintaining order at polling stations is critical to credible elections, warning that overcrowding, loitering and confrontations could lead to unnecessary disruptions.

“The Commission calls upon all voters, candidates and supporters to respect the law, maintain peace and allow electoral officials to do their work without interference,” Byabakama said.

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Uganda’s exports almost doubled on a year-on-year basis, rising by 94.4 percent from $769.62 million (about Shs2.7 trillion) in October 2024 to approximately $1.5 billion (about Shs5.3 trillion) in October 2025, according to the latest report by the Ministry of Finance.

The Performance of the Economy Monthly Report for November 2025 attributes the strong growth mainly to higher export earnings from coffee, gold, crude oil from simsim, palm oil and sunflower, industrial products, cocoa beans and flowers, among others.

The report shows that earnings from coffee exports increased by $46.06 million (about Shs163 billion), representing a 33.1 percent rise from $139.05 million (about Shs491 billion) in October 2024 to $185.10 million (about Shs654 billion) in October 2025.

“This increase was attributed to higher export volumes despite declining global coffee prices. Export volumes rose by 37.7 percent to 680,000 60-kilogramme bags, up from 500,000 60-kilogramme bags, largely due to increased production from harvests in the Central and Eastern regions,” the report says.

By contrast, coffee export earnings declined on a month-on-month basis due to a reduction in the quantity of coffee exported between September 2025 and October 2025, which more than offset a marginal increase in the unit price of coffee.

According to the report, Italy and Germany were the main destinations for Uganda’s coffee exports in October 2025. Overall export earnings rose by 55.9 percent to $1.496 billion (about Shs5.28 trillion) in October 2025, up from $959.89 million (about Shs3.39 trillion) in September 2025.

“Higher earnings from gold, cocoa beans, crude oil from simsim, palm oil, sunflower, and tobacco, among others, largely drove this growth. Gold and coffee together accounted for 76.8 percent of Uganda’s total exports, highlighting the need to diversify the export base,” the report notes.

The Middle East remained Uganda’s leading export destination in the month under review, accounting for 49.1 percent of total exports. At a country level, the United Arab Emirates dominated the region, receiving 98.8 percent of Uganda’s exports to the Middle East. Other key destinations included Asia at 19.8 percent, the East African Community at 17.5 percent, and the European Union at 8.8 percent.

On the import side, Uganda’s merchandise imports grew by 53.8 percent compared with the same month in the previous year, rising from $1.021 billion (about Shs3.6 trillion) in October 2024 to about $1.6 billion (about Shs5.6 trillion) in October 2025. This increase was mainly driven by higher formal private sector imports, which more than offset a decline in government imports.

Key private sector imports included mineral products excluding petroleum, base metals and their products, vegetable and animal products, beverages, fats and oils, among others. On a month-on-month basis, merchandise imports rose by 7.6 percent, increasing from approximately $1.5 billion (approximately Shs5.3 trillion) in September 2025 to $1.6 billion (approximately Shs5.6 trillion) in October 2025, largely due to higher non-oil formal private sector imports.

In October 2025, Asia remained Uganda’s largest source of imports, accounting for 30 percent of the total import bill. Within Asia, China, India, and Japan were the leading sources, accounting for 50.6 percent, 22.3 percent, and 8.1 percent, respectively. Other significant sources included the East African Community, the rest of Africa, and the Middle East, contributing 29.2 percent, 23.8 percent, and 9.7 percent.

Compared with October 2024, Uganda’s merchandise trade deficit with the rest of the world narrowed by 70.4 percent, falling from $251.56 million (about Shs888 billion) to $74.46 million (about Shs263 billion) in October 2025. “This improvement was driven by an increase in exports of $726.84 million (about Shs2.57 trillion), which more than offset a $549.74 million (about Shs1.94 trillion) rise in imports over the same period,” the report says.

On a month-on-month basis, the trade deficit narrowed by 85.1 percent between September 2025 and October 2025, reflecting a $536.56 million (about Shs1.9 trillion) surge in export earnings against a $110.72 million (about Shs391 billion) increase in the import bill.

Uganda’s trade deficit with its East African Community partner states widened significantly in October 2025, reflecting a sharp rise in imports from the region compared with only a marginal increase in export earnings. During the month, the deficit expanded from $103.08 million (about Shs364 billion) in September 2025 to $196.29 million (about Shs693 billion) in October 2025.

The deterioration was driven by a substantial increase in the import bill, which rose by $99.42 million (about Shs351 billion), while exports increased by only $6.21 million (about Shs22 billion). As a result, imports from the region reached $458.65 million (about Shs1.62 trillion), compared with exports of $262.36 million (about Shs926 billion).

At a country level, Uganda recorded trade surpluses with the Democratic Republic of Congo of $112.42 million (about Shs397 billion), South Sudan of $41.47 million (about Shs146 billion), Rwanda of $25.11 million (about Shs89 billion), and Burundi of $6.12 million (about Shs22 billion). However, the country posted trade deficits with Kenya and Tanzania of $81.62 million (about Shs288 billion) and $299.80 million (about Shs1.06 trillion), respectively.

On a year-on-year basis, Uganda’s trade balance with the region deteriorated from a surplus to a deficit. In October 2024, the country recorded a trade surplus of $8.26 million (about Shs29 billion) with the EAC, compared with a deficit of $196.29 million (about Shs693 billion) in October 2025. The decline was largely attributed to a steep rise in imports, which increased from $222.10 million (about Shs784 billion) in October 2024 to $458.65 million (about Shs1.62 trillion) in October 2025, while export earnings rose only modestly from $230.36 million (about Shs814 billion) to $262.36 million (about Shs926 billion).

The surge in imports was driven mainly by Tanzania and Kenya, where imports more than doubled, rising by 111.0 percent and 105.6 percent, respectively, while Uganda’s exports to the two countries declined over the same period, falling by 38.4 percent to Tanzania and by 10 percent to Kenya.

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