The directive comes 24 days before Uganda’s January general elections.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has, through the country’s Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), imposed control over the importation of Starlink technology and related communication equipment.
The directive comes 24 days before Uganda’s January general elections.
The URA issued a memorandum on 19th December 2025 instructing all customs staff to halt the clearance of Starlink-related gadgets unless accompanied by proper authorisation.
The authority explained the requirements for official clearance.
“Any import declaration of the aforementioned items should be accompanied by a clearance/authorizat letter from the Chief of Defense Forces - Uganda Peoples Defense Force UPDF” the memorandum states.
The document confirmed that the guidance is effective immediately. “This guidance takes effect immediately and all staff are expected to adhere to it” the memorandum adds.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Ugandan military officer and eldest child of President Museveni, now has the authority to approve or deny all Starlink imports.
Customs officials have been instructed to enforce the policy strictly, ensuring no Starlink equipment is cleared without Muhoozi’s written authorisation.
The memorandum was circulated by the URA’s CCD and copied to the Commissioner General, emphasising the immediate implementation of the restriction.
Ugandans now need written permission from President Museveni’s son Muhoozi Kainerugaba to import Starlink equipment.
The ban comes just 24 days before January’s general election. The government switched off the internet during the 2021 polls pic.twitter.com/cIRLzhbsql
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) December 22, 2025
The directive applies to all Starlink-related technology imported into Uganda and is enforced at all customs points nationwide.
This development highlights the new procedures for the importation of satellite-based communication equipment in Uganda ahead of the elections.