President Museveni Hints at Facebook Return & Considers Starlink to Lower Uganda’s Internet Costs

In a candid interview on his “Jazz With Jajja” show, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni addressed two major digital issues facing Uganda: the ongoing five-year ban on Facebook and the high cost of internet access.

Facebook Ban: A Conditional Reopening

When pressed by Ugandan bloggers about the prolonged shutdown, now nearing its fifth year, President Museveni clarified the government’s position. He stated the ban was a direct response to the misuse of the platform by specific individuals.

“We closed Facebook five years ago after certain individuals were misusing it. If the behavior improves, we could consider reopening it,” Museveni stated.

This statement offers the clearest public condition yet for the platform’s potential restoration, shifting the focus to user conduct as the key to lifting the ban.

Tackling High Internet Costs: Starlink on the Radar

Moving beyond social media regulation, the President also tackled the critical issue of expensive internet connectivity, a significant barrier for many Ugandans. Acknowledging the problem, Museveni discussed exploring alternatives to costly traditional fiber-optic cables.

He specifically named Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service as a potential solution. The President expressed openness to the technology if it could prove to be a more affordable and accessible option compared to the existing underground infrastructure.

“If Starlink can provide cheaper digital connections than the current fiber networks, we would be open to considering it,” he remarked.

Balancing Act: Regulation vs. Access

The interview highlighted the government’s ongoing challenge to balance the regulation of online spaces with the need for open, affordable digital access.

While reaffirming the state’s authority to act against platform misuse, Museveni’s comments on both Facebook and Starlink indicate a potential pivot towards evaluating solutions that could enhance Uganda’s digital landscape.

The tech and public policy communities will be watching closely for any concrete steps following these statements, which could significantly impact Uganda’s social media environment and internet affordability.