Elon Musk’s Starlink to Launch Satellite Internet Service in Uganda

Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk, is planning to launch its services in Uganda. A company map shows that Starlink will be available in several Ugandan districts, including Kampala, Lira, Mbarara, Masaka, Jinja, Soroti, Kasese, Gulu, Pader, Kitgum, Hoima, Masindi, Kotido, and Kaabong, among others.

On Thursday, August 29, Musk announced on X that Starlink is now approved in 105 countries worldwide. Out of these, 15 countries are in Africa, with Botswana and Ghana being the latest to approve the service.

Starlink now approved in 105 countries! https://t.co/qZtyTmhqNr

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 29, 2024

Although the pricing details for Starlink in Uganda have not yet been confirmed, comparisons with other countries suggest possible costs. In Rwanda, for example, Starlink charges RWF128,000 (approximately UGX357,000) per month, with the hardware costing around UGX460,000. Additional accessories, such as an ethernet adapter, are priced at RWF66,900, and a 45-meter cable costs RWF191,500.

Currently, Kenya, South Sudan, and Rwanda are the only East African nations with access to Starlink services. Some users have noted that Starlink can be accessed in Uganda by paying for roaming services.

It works once you pay for roaming chief

— Jeremiah (@Jeremiah_Mkb) August 29, 2024

In Kenya, the monthly subscription fee for Starlink is KES14,000 (around UGX403,000), with hardware costs set at KES45,500.

Starlink is a satellite-based internet service operated by Starlink Services, LLC, a subsidiary of SpaceX. SpaceX, the American aerospace company, started deploying Starlink satellites in 2019 to provide high-speed internet access globally, particularly targeting remote and underserved regions.