KAMPALA, Dec 23 (Reuters) – Uganda’s government has restricted imports of Starlink satellite internet equipment weeks before a national election at which the opposition fears the government will again impose an internet blackout.<\/p>\n
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, will seek to extend his rule<\/a> in the East African nation to nearly half a century in the January 15 vote, which pits him against pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, 43, for the second time.<\/p>\n Sign up here.<\/a><\/p>\n During the 2021 election, the government cut off internet access for days. Wine, who came a distant second to Museveni at the last vote, rejected the results and said he lost because of rigging, which Museveni denies.<\/p>\n The restrictions on bringing Starlink devices into Uganda first came to light in a leaked tax agency memo dated December 19 that circulated on social media.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for the Uganda Revenue Authority later confirmed the memo was genuine.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The revenue authority tried to downplay the new restrictions, saying many countries seek to control imports of communication technology.<\/p>\n Elon Musk’s Starlink does not have a licence to operate in Uganda yet, though many Ugandans have been bringing in Starlink devices and using them anyway.<\/p>\n Opposition leader Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, called the restrictions on Starlink imports ridiculous in a post on X.<\/p>\n “If they’re not planning … electoral fraud, why are they so scared of people accessing (the internet) during the electoral process,” Wine wrote.<\/p>\n A former rebel, Museveni has been credited with stabilising Uganda, promoting economic growth and combating HIV\/AIDS, while critics have accused his government of suppressing opponents, committing human rights abuses and engaging in corruption.<\/p>\n Museveni and his government have amended the constitution twice to remove age and term limits, allowing him to remain in office.<\/p>\n Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab<\/a><\/p>\n
\nEditing by Alexander Winning and Philippa Fletcher<\/p>\n