By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Ahead of Uganda’s January 15 presidential election, authorities have announced a restriction on imports of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet equipment, a development that has sparked concern among opposition ranks on the possibility of an internet blackout in the East African country.
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, is seeking to extend his nearly 40 years rule in the next month vote, which pits him against pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, 43, for the second time.
During the 2021 election, the government disconnected internet access for days.
At that election, Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi came a distant second to Museveni. The opposition rejected the results, saying Wine lost because of electoral manipulations, an allegation Museveni denied.
The restrictions on bringing Starlink devices into Uganda first came to public glare in a leaked tax agency memo dated December 19 that circulated on social media.
A spokesperson for the Uganda Revenue Authority later confirmed the memo was genuine.
The memo said any imports of “Starlink technology gadgets, communication equipment and associated components” now needed to be cleared by the head of the military, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son.
The revenue authority has however attempted to downplay the new restrictions, saying many countries seek to control imports of communication technology.
Starlink has not been licenced to operate in Uganda. However, many Ugandans have been bringing in Starlink devices and using them.
In a post on X, Wine, who is popular among the youth populace called the restrictions on Starlink imports ridiculous in a post on X.
“If they’re not planning … electoral fraud, why are they so scared of people accessing (the internet) during the electoral process,” Wine wrote.
Critics have accused Museveni a former rebel who came to power in 1986 of suppressing opponents, committing human rights abuses and engaging in corruption.
Museveni and his government have amended the constitution twice to remove age and term limits to allow him remain in office.
