In a significant blow to remote connectivity, Starlink has officially disabled its satellite internet services in Uganda as of January 1, 2026. The move follows a high-priority directive from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which cited that the SpaceX-owned subsidiary has not yet fulfilled the necessary pre-licensing requirements to operate legally within the country. In a formal letter to the regulator, Starlink’s leadership confirmed the activation of a service restriction tool, effectively freezing all terminals that were previously being used via "roaming" from neighboring licensed markets. This enforcement action was preceded by a Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) memo in late 2025, which mandated that all imported satellite hardware must now receive explicit clearance from the Chief of Defence Forces. The timing of the shutdown has ignited intense public debate, occurring just two weeks before Uganda’s general elections scheduled for January 15, 2026. While the UCC main...