Kampala, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni said Tuesday that he held a “productive meeting” with the representatives of tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink, signaling the satellite internet provider’s intent to establish operations in Uganda.
“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. I appreciate their commitment to providing low-cost internet in hard-to-reach areas and establishing a presence in Uganda. They are welcome,” Mr Museveni said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday morning.
Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, has rapidly expanded across Africa, with services already live in over a dozen countries. Earlier this month, it secured licenses to operate in Somalia and Lesotho.
While Starlink has not yet formally applied for an operating license in Uganda, its recent engagements suggest a strategic move towards entering the Ugandan market.
The development could mark a significant leap in bridging the country’s digital divide, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Uganda’s internet landscape has long been criticized for high costs and unreliable service, partly due to limited competition.
The market is currently dominated by subsidiaries of South Africa’s MTN Group and India’s Bharti Airtel, but the entry of Starlink could introduce much-needed competition, potentially lowering prices and improving service quality.
DailyExpress wrote in 2023 that Starlink aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet by deploying a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites. This technology is particularly beneficial for remote areas lacking traditional infrastructure.
In neighboring countries like Kenya and Rwanda, Starlink offers monthly subscriptions ranging from UGX357,000 to UGX403,000, with hardware costs around UGX460,000.
The anticipated launch of Starlink’s services in Uganda was initially set for the fourth quarter of 2024 but has been postponed to 2025. The delay is attributed to regulatory challenges and the need to align with Uganda’s satellite communication framework.
Experts believe that Starlink’s entry into Uganda could revolutionize the country’s internet accessibility, especially in rural regions. By bypassing the need for extensive ground infrastructure, satellite internet can deliver reliable connectivity to areas previously deemed unreachable.
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