The Uganda Revenue Authority has imposed an immediate restriction on the importation and customs clearance of Starlink technology and related communication equipment, tightening regulatory oversight on satellite-based connectivity devices entering the country.
In a memorandum dated December 19, 2025, the Commissioner of Customs, Asadu Kigozi Kisitu, directed all customs staff to halt the clearance of Starlink gadgets, communication equipment, and associated components unless importers present explicit authorization from the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces.
“Any import declaration of the aforementioned items should be accompanied by a clearance/authorization letter from the Chief of Defence Forces,” the memo states, adding that the directive “takes effect immediately.”
The restriction applies across all customs points and binds all officers involved in import processing, signaling a shift toward stricter controls on advanced communications technologies linked to national security considerations.
Although the memo does not spell out the reasons for the move, the decision reflects growing state sensitivity around satellite internet systems such as Starlink, which operate independently of traditional terrestrial telecom infrastructure. Such technologies can have wide-reaching implications for security monitoring, spectrum management, and regulatory compliance.
By requiring clearance from the Chief of Defence Forces, authorities appear to be asserting tighter inter-agency coordination between civilian revenue collection and military oversight in the regulation of sensitive equipment. The measure also places an additional compliance burden on importers, who must now secure military authorization before shipping or clearing the devices.
The development comes amid increasing global debate over how governments regulate satellite-based communication services, particularly as their adoption expands beyond commercial use into areas with security and governance implications.
All customs staff have been instructed to comply fully with the directive, reinforcing URA’s role in enforcing national policy decisions at Uganda’s borders.
