By Uganda Revenue Authority has imposed an immediate restriction on the importation and clearance of Elon Musk’s Starlink technology and related communication equipment, requiring authorization from the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF).
In an internal memorandum dated December 19, 2025, and addressed to all customs staff, the Commissioner for Customs Development (CCD) directed that all import declarations involving Starlink gadgets, communication equipment and associated components must be accompanied by a clearance letter from the Chief of Defence Forces.
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“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 memo reads.
The directive, copied to the Commissioner General, takes immediate effect and instructs all customs officers to strictly adhere to the new requirement.
Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, has gained increasing interest in Uganda due to its ability to provide high-speed internet in remote and underserved areas. However, authorities have previously expressed concerns over the regulation and security implications of satellite-based communication systems.
The customs directive effectively places control of Starlink-related imports under military authorization, signaling heightened scrutiny of satellite communication technologies entering the country.
No official explanation was given in the memo for the restriction, and customs authorities had not issued a public statement by press time.
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