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Uganda Election Tension: Bobi Wine Appeals To Elon Musk After Starlink Shuts Down Internet Access Days Before January 15 Polls
Ugandan opposition leader and presidential candidate Bobi Wine has appealed directly to Elon Musk after Starlink suspended its satellite internet services in Uganda just days ahead of the country’s January 15 general election. The shutdown followed a directive from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which accused Starlink of illegally providing telecommunication services without a valid operating licence.
Bobi Wine condemned the development, warning that restricting internet access ahead of the election could further shrink civic space and undermine democratic participation. In a public post, he accused President Yoweri Museveni’s government of long-standing repression and argued that the Starlink shutdown would limit citizens’ ability to communicate, access information and monitor the electoral process.
Starlink confirmed that it imposed a nationwide restriction on January 1, 2026, after receiving formal notice from the UCC. The company acknowledged that it is not yet licensed to operate in Uganda and said individuals had been using Starlink terminals imported from countries where the service is authorised. In response, Starlink said it disabled all terminals operating within Uganda to comply with regulatory demands.
Despite the controversy, Starlink stated its willingness to cooperate with Ugandan authorities and complete the licensing process. The incident has heightened concerns over digital rights, election transparency and government control of communications as Uganda prepares for a highly contested vote, with President Museveni seeking a seventh term after nearly 40 years in power.
Ugandan opposition leader and presidential candidate Bobi Wine has appealed directly to Elon Musk after Starlink suspended its satellite internet services in Uganda just days ahead of the country’s January 15 general election. The shutdown followed a directive from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which accused Starlink of illegally providing telecommunication services without a valid operating licence.
Bobi Wine condemned the development, warning that restricting internet access ahead of the election could further shrink civic space and undermine democratic participation. In a public post, he accused President Yoweri Museveni’s government of long-standing repression and argued that the Starlink shutdown would limit citizens’ ability to communicate, access information and monitor the electoral process.
Starlink confirmed that it imposed a nationwide restriction on January 1, 2026, after receiving formal notice from the UCC. The company acknowledged that it is not yet licensed to operate in Uganda and said individuals had been using Starlink terminals imported from countries where the service is authorised. In response, Starlink said it disabled all terminals operating within Uganda to comply with regulatory demands.
Despite the controversy, Starlink stated its willingness to cooperate with Ugandan authorities and complete the licensing process. The incident has heightened concerns over digital rights, election transparency and government control of communications as Uganda prepares for a highly contested vote, with President Museveni seeking a seventh term after nearly 40 years in power.
Uganda Election Tension: Bobi Wine Appeals To Elon Musk After Starlink Shuts Down Internet Access Days Before January 15 Polls
Ugandan opposition leader and presidential candidate Bobi Wine has appealed directly to Elon Musk after Starlink suspended its satellite internet services in Uganda just days ahead of the country’s January 15 general election. The shutdown followed a directive from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which accused Starlink of illegally providing telecommunication services without a valid operating licence.
Bobi Wine condemned the development, warning that restricting internet access ahead of the election could further shrink civic space and undermine democratic participation. In a public post, he accused President Yoweri Museveni’s government of long-standing repression and argued that the Starlink shutdown would limit citizens’ ability to communicate, access information and monitor the electoral process.
Starlink confirmed that it imposed a nationwide restriction on January 1, 2026, after receiving formal notice from the UCC. The company acknowledged that it is not yet licensed to operate in Uganda and said individuals had been using Starlink terminals imported from countries where the service is authorised. In response, Starlink said it disabled all terminals operating within Uganda to comply with regulatory demands.
Despite the controversy, Starlink stated its willingness to cooperate with Ugandan authorities and complete the licensing process. The incident has heightened concerns over digital rights, election transparency and government control of communications as Uganda prepares for a highly contested vote, with President Museveni seeking a seventh term after nearly 40 years in power.
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