NAKASERO, KAMPALA: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said Uganda may allow Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk, to operate in the country if it can provide cheaper internet than the current underground fibre-optic cables.
The President made these remarks while meeting digital media content creators at Nakasero State Lodge in Kampala. The interaction meeting, dubbed “Jazz with Jajja,” was hosted for the first time by the First daughter, Natasha Museveni Karugire and co-hosted by Christine Mawadri and YouTuber Isaac Katende, popularly known as Kasuku.
President Museveni said he has been in discussions with Elon Musk, who told him that satellite internet has become much cheaper due to new technology.
“In the past, satellite internet was expensive, which is why we moved to underground cables. But Elon Musk has been telling me that satellite is now cheaper to the last-mile users. We are studying this, and if it is true, we shall allow Starlink to come,” the President said.
He added that the government is carefully studying whether Starlink can make digital connectivity more affordable for Ugandans.
In April 2025, President Museveni met representatives of Starlink and welcomed their interest in providing low-cost internet, especially in hard-to-reach rural areas. This showed government support for solutions that can help bridge the digital gap between urban and rural communities.
During the interaction, the President encouraged digital content creators to focus their work on issues of national interest, development, and socioeconomic transformation. He explained that since 1986, the NRM government has rebuilt Uganda’s economy through five key stages: economic recovery, expansion, diversification, value addition, and now the knowledge economy, which supports technology and digital innovation.
President Museveni also advised content creators to study global trends and position Uganda positively, noting that the country now has a strong foundation for further development.
He assured Ugandans, especially the youth, that many job opportunities exist within the country in four main sectors; Commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT. He discouraged young people from rushing to seek jobs abroad, saying Uganda has many unused opportunities.
The President gave an example of Uganda’s vast arable land, which can employ millions if fully used for commercial agriculture, alongside growth in manufacturing, services, and ICT.
He urged young people to focus on productive activities and wealth creation, as guided by the government’s commercial enterprises programs.
During the interaction, Kasuku asked the President to continue engaging with digital media professionals. He said most content creators are responsible and professional.
“Your Excellency, we are good people and we know what we are doing. There may be a few who misuse the internet, but the majority of us work professionally and respect the law,” Kasuku said.
