USD → UGX
Cheapest way to send money to Uganda
Uganda runs on mobile money. MTN MoMo and Airtel Money reach far more people than bank accounts here. Most remittance apps deliver to a mobile money wallet rather than a bank account. This is usually the cheapest option.
Bank transfers to Ugandan accounts are available but the cost is higher. Cash pickup at an agent is also available as well but there is usually a higher fee.
Not every international provider supports Ugandan shillings. Check that your app actually covers the corridor before you rely on it. The options here are narrower than for a big remittance market. For example, Wise currently does not support UGX and accounts aren’t offered to Ugandans.
If you are paying a landlord or a helper or even sending money to a friend or family member, mobile money is usually what they expect. They can withdraw cash locally if they choose. All you need to send them money is their name and Ugandan phone number.
Fees for sending mobile money locally are low. Usually 200-1000 shillings per transaction, depending on the amount. For cross network transactions (MTN to Airtel for example) the fees are a bit higher. Maybe 2,000-3,000 shillings. Small transactions on the same network are free. There is a small 0.5% fee for withdrawing cash.
When you’re sending money to Uganda from abroad, it’s usually cheapest to send from a bank account or debit card. Credit cards usually charge higher fees.
If you’re traveling to Uganda, you can buy a local SIM card and send mobile money to yourself. It is extremely convenient and easy to use. It’s accepted almost everywhere. If you need cash, you can withdraw it any time. You can also use an ATM to withdraw cash. Fees for ATM withdrawals are pretty high here. Usually around $7 per transaction.
Checked . Fee figures are typical estimates, not live quotes. Change them in the calculator if you know your exact fees.
01
The transfer
How much, and which two currencies.
Not in the list? Choose “Enter my own…” and type the 3-letter code (GEL, VND, COP…).
02
How the money moves
Sending to someone else and spending your own money there are different questions. Pick one from the matching group.
To someone else
Your own money there
Loading live rate…
After fees · Remitly
1 USD = 3,578 UGX
Mid-market is 3,700.
Adjust feesThese are typical estimates, not official numbers from the company›
Sending $1,000 to someone in Uganda
Money leaves you and arrives with them in Ugandan shillings. Sorted cheapest first. “Cost” is the fee plus whatever the rate is worse than mid-market, which is the part most comparisons leave out.
| Method | Cost | They receive |
|---|---|---|
| Taptap SendcheapestTapTapSend does not charge a percentage fee to send to Ugandan mobile money accounts. They have a markup of 0.5%-1.5% below the mid-market rate. The exact percentage markup depends on where you're sending from and the market conditions. | $15.001.5% | 3,644,500UGX |
| SendwaveSendwave does not charge a percentage fee to send to Ugandan mobile money accounts. They charge markup of 1.5%-2.5% on the exchange rate. The exact percentage markup depends on where you're sending from and the market conditions. | $20.002.0% | 3,626,000UGX |
| WorldRemitWorldRemit does not charge a percentage fee to send to Ugandan mobile money accounts. They charge a flat fee of $0.00-$3.99 depending on where you're sending money from and how you're sending it (credit card, bank account, etc.) They also charge a markup of 1.5%-3.5% on the exchange rate. World Remit can send to mobile money wallets and Ugandan bank accounts and they offer cash pickup. | $28.892.9% | 3,593,106UGX |
| RemitlyDelivery to a mobile money wallet has no percentage fee. There is a flat charge of $0.99 to $2.99 depending on where you send from. The rate sits roughly 2.9% to 3.6% below mid-market. | $32.903.3% | 3,578,269UGX |
| Western UnionWestern Union does not charge a percentage fee to send to Ugandan mobile money accounts. They charge a markup of about 3%-4.5% on the exchange rate. The exact markup depends on the currency you're sending from, how you're sending it (from a credit card, debit card, or bank account), and the market conditions. Western Union can send to mobile money wallets and Ugandan bank acccounts and they offer cash pickup. The most expensive option is sending from a credit card to cash pickup, which costs about $4.99-$9.00 flat fee. Sending from a bank account to a mobile money account is the cheapest option. | $41.914.2% | 3,544,932UGX |
| XoomXoom (owned by PayPal) does not charge a percentage fee to send to Ugandan mobile money accounts. They charge a markup of 4%-6% on the exchange rate. The exact percentage markup depends on where you're sending from and the market conditions. They also charge a flat fee to send from a debit card, credit card, or bank account. The fee is around $1.99 if you use a debit card. There is no flat fee if you use the PayPal stablecoin. | $51.895.2% | 3,508,005UGX |
| Bank wireA flat wire fee of around $50, plus a markup of roughly 2.5% on the exchange rate. Ugandan banks often charge a $10-$20 fee to receive wire transfers as well. The flat fee makes bank wires especially bad for smaller amounts. A bank wire transfer to Uganda only makes sense for large transactions. | $73.757.4% | 3,427,125UGX |
On $1,000, Taptap Send costs about $15.00 and Bank wire about $73.75. That's a difference of $58.75 for the same money, or $705 over a year if you move this much every month.
Spending your own money in Uganda
For when you are traveling there and the money is already yours. Costs are per $1,000 converted. Remember that some cards and ATMs charge you for every transaction rather than once.
| Method | Cost | You get |
|---|---|---|
| Card spendcheapestFigures are for a Revolut card. Most plans have a fee-free allowance, then charge 1%, and there is a 1% markup during weekends. An ordinary bank card is worse. Many charge 2-3% once its own markup is counted. If you can, use a travel credit card with 0% exchange fees. Then you'll only pay a 0.3%-0.5% spread. Credit cards aren't widely accepted in Uganda. They are only accepted at large hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets. Some tour operators also accept cards. | $10.001.0% | 3,663,000UGX |
| CashThe average spread when exchanging USD to Ugandan shillings at a large bank or forex bureau is 1.5%-2%. You do have to watch the rate you get. Some exchanges will have a spread of 5% or more below the mid-market rate. You'll get the best rate with $50 and $100 bills in good condition. | $20.002.0% | 3,626,000UGX |
| ATM withdrawalYou will pay whatever fee your card charges. A 1%-2% exchange fee is common for debit cards. Ugandan ATMs add their own flat fee per withdrawal and cap how much you can take at once, so $1,000 means several trips to the ATM. Most ATMs have a 1,000,000 shilling limit (around $275). The most common ATM fee is 25,000 shillings or around $7. $28 here assumes roughly four withdrawals. I use my Schwab debit card because ATM fees are refunded. This makes ATM withdraws one of the cheapest options but it's not available for everyone. | $38.003.8% | 3,559,400UGX |
On $1,000, Card spend costs about $10.00 and ATM withdrawal about $38.00. That's a difference of $28.00 for the same money, or $336 over a year if you move this much every month.
Figures use a rate of about 3,700 UGX to 1 USD; the calculator above uses the live rate.
How the money arrives in Uganda
Most common first. Which of these your recipient can actually use usually matters more than a fraction of a percent in fees.
- 1Mobile money wallet (MTN MoMo, Airtel Money)
- 2Bank transfer to a Ugandan account
- 3Cash pickup at an agent
Living in Uganda, not just sending money there
A transfer is one number. These work out a whole month, including what the transfers cost you over a year.
- Cost of living in Kampala$1,705/mo