• Bobi Wine has asked Elon Musk to reconsider Starlink’s suspension in Uganda just days before the January 15 general elections.
• Starlink confirmed it disabled all terminals in Uganda starting January 1, 2026, citing regulatory concerns over illegal equipment use.
• The shutdown has fueled debate about internet freedom, democracy, and election transparency as Uganda approaches a critical vote.

Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has appealed directly to billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, asking him to reconsider the suspension of Starlink internet services in Uganda ahead of the January 15 general elections.

Bobi Wine’s appeal comes at a tense moment, following confirmation from Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, that it has restricted its services in Uganda and is no longer selling or operating internet services in the country.

In a letter dated January 2 and addressed to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Starlink explained that the decision was taken after concerns raised by Ugandan regulators over the illegal importation and use of Starlink equipment.

The company revealed that it had rolled out a new service restriction tool specifically for Uganda, which became effective on January 1, 2026. The tool prevents Starlink terminals from operating within the country’s borders.

“As of January 1, 2026, there are no Starlink terminals operating in Uganda,” the letter stated.

The communication was signed by Ben MacWilliams, Director for Starlink Market Access at SpaceX, officially confirming the shutdown.

Shortly after the development became public, Bobi Wine took to X (formerly Twitter) to make a personal appeal to Elon Musk, urging him not to disable Starlink internet access at such a critical political moment.

In his post, the NUP leader linked the internet shutdown to broader concerns about democracy and freedom of expression in Uganda, especially during an election period.

“Hey @elonmusk, as you cheer the fall of a dictator in Venezuela, here in Uganda your @Starlink has disabled citizens’ access to its internet just days to the January 15th election in which we seek to peacefully end Museveni’s 40-year-old dictatorship!” Bobi Wine wrote.

He went on to accuse the Ugandan government of long-standing repression, arguing that access to independent internet services is vital for citizens to communicate, organize, and participate meaningfully in shaping their future.

“Please reactivate Starlink internet access in Uganda so that citizens can be able to communicate and stand a fair chance at shaping their destiny. Democracy dies in darkness!”