Currencies used in Uganda: Widely used currencies in Uganda – Paying for your safari through Uganda – Money transfers to Uganda.
Currencies used in Uganda. The Uganda shilling is the most used currency in Uganda and currently trades at about 3,800, to the United States dollar. Uganda shilling notes are printed in 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. The Uganda shilling also has coins in the dominion of 1,000, 500, 200, and 100 shillings.
Foreign exchange in the past years used to be bureaucratic but now a very quick process. All major towns in the country have forex bureaus that exchange currencies from foreign to local.
Visitors can also rely on ATMs distributed in many major towns across the country that can release money in the Ugandan local currency: –
Some tourist attractions mostly hotels and restaurants in the urban centers accept visa cards for payment, but the service is not so widely spread in the rural setting.
Paying by cash./ Currencies used in Uganda
The Uganda shillings, United States dollar, Pound, and Euro are the most used and recognized currencies in Uganda. The most used foreign currencies in Uganda can be exchanged in just a few minutes by visiting any banks and forex exchange bureaus distributed in every major town across the country. There seem to be quite many in the capital Kampala than other towns.
Most service providers in the country are only comfortable with accepting cash and only in Ugandan shillings.
We therefore advise our clients at all times to exchange their money on arrival at Entebbe or in Kampala and at times move with Ugandan shillings. The use of ATM is now a widely used form of bank withdrawals in banks while in Uganda. All Ugandan tourists now at least have an ATM associated with a bank branch in Uganda.
ATMs in the country can allow a withdrawal of up to two million Ugandan shillings. Some of the mostly and widely distributed banks with ATMs in the country include Stanbic Bank, DFCU, Standard Chartered, centenary, and KCB banks and they accept all cards.
If you are going to be dependent on your card only it’s important to alert your bank about your travel dates so that they don’t get isues with foreign bank withdrawals. Your bank can also check your card’s capacity with East African systems.
Mobile Money Transfers in Uganda / Currencies used in Uganda
If you are planning to be in Uganda for quite a while, signing up for an electronic wallet service popularly referred to as mobile money is a perfect option to consider.
Airtel and MTN money is the widest spread mobile money services to use. You can acquire any of these mobile money lines by presenting your identification documents for registration and your line will be active to both make phone calls and also make money transfers.
Once your line is active, you can load money and be free to make withdraws and deposits or one country for mobile and across or you can directly send money to another registered contact instantly.
Money transfers to Uganda
If you are on a safari through Uganda and you run out of cash, do not worry because you can still receive money from your relatives and friends from abroad. However, transferring funds between European and East African banks remains surprisingly slow and could take some days. It’s much quicker to have your relative or friend send you money using Western Union. This will take you less than 10 minutes to receive your money by simply presenting your credentials and a transfer cord sent to you by email or text message.
Most activities in most destinations as well as most accommodation facilities quote their prices in dollars but all of them accept payment of Uganda shilling at the prevailing dollar exchange rate. Contact us for any inquiries about currencies to use while on a safari through Uganda.
