Ugandan businesses are set to have another option for high-speed internet following partnerships aimed at expanding Starlink connectivity in the country’s enterprise market.
Roke Telkom and Paratus Uganda are among the companies working to make satellite-based connectivity available to businesses, widening access beyond conventional fixed-line networks.
Starlink uses a constellation of low-Earth-orbit satellites to provide internet connectivity. The technology has attracted growing interest in Africa, particularly in areas where laying fibre can be expensive or geographically challenging.
For Uganda, the service could provide an alternative for companies operating outside areas with reliable terrestrial broadband.
The move comes as businesses increasingly depend on digital platforms for payments, communication, cloud services, customer management and remote operations.
Satellite internet can also provide an additional layer of resilience for organisations that cannot afford prolonged disruptions to their primary connection.
The growing competition in Uganda’s connectivity market reflects a broader transformation taking place across East Africa.
Telecom operators are investing in fibre while satellite providers are expanding their footprint, creating a market where different technologies can complement each other.
The development also highlights the growing importance of reliable broadband to economic activity.
As more businesses move their operations online, internet connectivity is increasingly being treated as essential infrastructure rather than a supplementary service.
Uganda’s enterprise sector could therefore become an important market for satellite broadband as providers compete to meet the demand for faster and more dependable connections
