Paratus Uganda has become the first internet service provider in the country to launch Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service, expanding access to high-speed, low-latency connectivity for businesses across Uganda.
The rollout follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding and operational licence agreement between the Uganda Communications Commission and Starlink on 15 May 2026. The agreement enables Starlink’s satellite connectivity services to operate officially in the Ugandan market.
For Paratus Uganda, the launch adds satellite connectivity to its existing portfolio and strengthens its ability to serve enterprise customers in remote and underserved areas where traditional telecommunications infrastructure can be difficult or costly to deploy.
Paratus Uganda launched in 2025 through a joint venture between Paratus Group and Kampala-based ISP Roke Telkom. The company has since provided customers with resilient cross-border connectivity through the 2,000-kilometre protected Goma-to-Mombasa (G2M) route.
The addition of Starlink is designed to complement this terrestrial infrastructure with a flexible satellite connectivity layer, supported by Paratus Group’s East-West Southern Africa backbone, redundancy solutions and other network services.
The company is now activating an enterprise customer pipeline spanning sectors including mining, healthcare, tourism, NGOs and government. These organisations often require reliable connectivity in locations where conventional fibre and terrestrial networks have limited reach.
Paratus Uganda Country Manager Edwin Kyambadde said enterprise demand for LEO connectivity had been significant, particularly among customers waiting for Starlink to become officially available in Uganda. He described the service as a major addition to Paratus Uganda’s network and a potential game-changer for businesses operating beyond traditional infrastructure.
The launch also supports Paratus Group’s wider strategy of developing a contiguous, multi-layered connectivity network across Africa. According to Paratus Group Chief Commercial Officer Martin Cox, Uganda becomes the ninth African country where the group offers Starlink services.
Satellite connectivity is increasingly being used to extend broadband coverage into areas where terrestrial infrastructure remains limited. By combining Starlink with its existing network and redundancy capabilities, Paratus aims to provide customers in Uganda and the wider East African region with greater resilience, faster deployment and more flexible connectivity options.
