Starlink Set to launch in Uganda Amid Strategic Talks

President Yoweri Museveni has shared some exciting news about internet services in Uganda. He said he had a good meeting with people from Starlink, the satellite internet company owned by Elon Musk. This means Starlink is set to launch in Uganda soon, bringing new hope for better and cheaper internet, especially in places where it is hard to get online.

Starlink has been trying to start its service in Uganda for a while now. The company wants to offer fast internet using satellites, which is different from the usual internet that depends on cables and towers. President Museveni said he welcomes Starlink and likes their plan to provide low-cost internet to people in remote areas. He wrote on X, “I appreciate their commitment to providing low-cost internet in hard-to-reach areas and establishing a presence in Uganda. They are welcome.”

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Many people in Uganda have been unhappy with the current internet services because they are expensive and sometimes slow or unreliable. Right now, most internet users get service from big companies like MTN and Airtel. These companies are the main players, but some people feel there is not enough competition to bring prices down or improve service. That’s why the news that Starlink will launch in Uganda is very exciting for many Ugandans.

Starlink uses a group of satellites that orbit close to the Earth to send internet signals. This technology can give faster and better internet, especially in rural areas where it is hard to build cables. Uganda has about 50.7 million people, and most of them live outside the cities. This means Starlink’s service could help a lot of people who don’t have good internet right now.

According to the plans, Starlink’s launch in Uganda will cover many towns and cities like Kampala, Lira, Mbarara, and Gulu. This shows that Starlink wants to reach both big cities and smaller towns, making internet access better for many communities. Uganda has made progress in internet access, but there is still a big difference between people living in cities and those in rural areas. Only about 20% of people in rural Uganda have internet, which makes it hard for them to use online education, health services, or business tools.

Some Ugandans have already found ways to use Starlink by subscribing from nearby countries where the service is allowed. But for Starlink to officially start in Uganda, it needs a license from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). Many expect that this license will be given soon, which means Uganda will join 20 other African countries using Starlink.

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If Starlink launches in Uganda, it will compete with MTN and Airtel for the millions of Ugandans who use the internet. This could lead to better prices and services for everyone. Right now, about 14.2 million people in Uganda use the internet, but only 28% of the population has access. Starlink’s arrival could help increase this number and bring more people online.

Starlink plan to launch in Uganda is a great news. It promises faster, cheaper, and more reliable internet for many Ugandans, especially those living far from cities. This could change how people learn, work, and connect with the world. President Museveni’s words, “They are welcome,” show that Uganda is ready to embrace this new technology and the opportunities it brings.

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