Send money to Uganda

Sendwave and WorldRemit typically offer the lowest costs for MTN Mobile Money delivery to Uganda. Both charge zero or minimal transfer fees and fund the transfer through exchange rate margins. Comparing the total UGX your recipient receives across three or four providers is the best approach.

Select a provider that supports MTN MoMo delivery to Uganda (WorldRemit, Remitly, or Sendwave). Enter the recipient's MTN phone number (starting with 077 or 078) and send amount. The shillings land in their MTN MoMo wallet within minutes, and they can withdraw at any MTN agent.

Mobile money transfers via MTN or Airtel arrive within minutes. Bank deposits to Ugandan accounts take 1–3 business days depending on the provider and receiving bank. Cash pickup at Western Union or MoneyGram agents is typically ready within 30 minutes to one hour.

Yes. WorldRemit and several other providers support Airtel Money delivery. You need the recipient's Airtel Uganda phone number (starting with 070 or 075). Airtel Money has a strong presence in northern and eastern Uganda where MTN coverage may be thinner.

You'll need the recipient's full name, bank name (e.g. Stanbic, DFCU, Centenary Bank), branch, and account number. Uganda does not use IBAN. Bank transfers are less common than mobile money on this corridor but necessary for larger amounts or business payments.

Uganda introduced a 0.5% levy on mobile money withdrawals in 2018 (reduced from the original 1% tax on transactions). This withdrawal levy applies when your recipient cashes out from their MTN MoMo or Airtel Money wallet. It does not apply to the incoming international transfer itself, but it reduces the net amount your recipient takes home in cash.

Yes. Western Union and MoneyGram have cash pickup locations in Kampala and major towns. Your recipient visits an agent, presents a valid Ugandan national ID or passport and the MTCN (reference number), and collects the cash. No bank or mobile money account is required.

The Ugandan shilling floats freely but is relatively stable compared to some regional currencies. Provider markups over the mid-market UGX rate vary from 0.5% to 3%. Because UGX amounts are large numerically (1 USD equals roughly 3,700 UGX), small percentage differences translate into thousands of shillings on even modest transfers.

WorldRemit, Sendwave, and Remitly are the strongest choices for mobile money delivery. Western Union and MoneyGram lead on cash pickup coverage. Wise supports bank deposit to Ugandan accounts at competitive exchange rates but does not offer mobile money or cash pickup.