Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, is a land of stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and warm hospitality. Whether you’re trekking to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi, cruising along the Nile in Murchison Falls, or exploring the bustling streets of Kampala, understanding how to access cash is crucial. While digital payments and card acceptance are growing in urban areas, cash remains the dominant form of payment, especially in rural regions. This guide covers everything you need to know about cash and ATMs in Uganda, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card acceptance, ensuring a smooth and convenient travel experience.
Where to find ATMs in Uganda?
Accessing cash in Uganda requires some planning, especially considering the limited number of ATMs relative to the population. You can find ATMs at urban Centers, in major cities like Kampala, at bank branches, shopping centers, and other public places. In rural areas, ATM access is scarce in rural regions. It’s advisable to withdraw sufficient cash before traveling to these areas.
Best ATMs to use in Uganda for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Uganda are those owned by popular banks such as:
- Diamond Trust Bank,
- Bank of Africa,
- Centenary Bank,
- I&M Bank, and
- NCBA Bank.
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
Some international banks also have their ATMs in Uganda namely Standard Chartered.
There are no known Global ATM Alliance member banks or All Points network banks in Uganda.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Uganda, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or, Charge in UGX).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate. Now if you ‘Accept’, you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you Decline, the ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in UGX’.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Uganda?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Uganda. ATMs commonly accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Plus, Cirrus cards. Some ATMs accept only Visa cards. Some of them accept UnionPay cards. Others like American Express, Diners, Discover and Rupay cards are generally not accepted.
What are the ATM opening hours
Most ATMs operate 24/7.
What are ATMs called
ATMs in Uganda are usually found by a signage of word ‘ATM’ is widely used or signage has bank name without the words ‘ATM’.
Language options at ATMs
ATMs in Uganda primarily offer English as the main language. Some ATMs also provide options in local languages such as Kiswahili and Luganda. There have been developments to integrate additional local languages, like Ateso, to improve accessibility for users who may not be proficient in the existing language options. If you’re not familiar with the available languages, using live translation via Google Translate’s camera function can be handy; however, proceed cautiously, as translations may not be perfect.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Uganda?
ATMs in Uganda dispense cash only in the local currency, Ugandan Shilling (UGX).
ATM withdrawal limits in Uganda?
ATMs in Uganda typically have a maximum withdrawal limit ranging from UGX 50,000 to USG 3 million, with the most common being UGX 2 million. Majority of the bank ATMS have daily withdrawal limits of UGX 2 million to UGX 3 million.
ATM Fees in Uganda
There are no fee-free ATMs in Uganda. The ATM Access Fees vary widely between ATMs – Bank ATMs in Uganda charge anywhere from UGX 5000 to UGX 35,000 ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. So there are no fee-free ATMs you can use in Uganda as a foreign cardholder.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Uganda. These are:
1. Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Uganda
Use the lower fee ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Uganda?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Uganda. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 100+ countries including Uganda.
Safety at ATMs
Uganda is generally considered a safe destination for travelers, with ATMs widely available in urban areas, particularly in cities like Kampala and Entebbe. However, to ensure secure transactions, consider the following precautions:
- Use Secure ATMs: Opt for machines located within bank premises or reputable establishments, as they are generally more secure.
- Be Vigilant: Before using an ATM, inspect it for any unusual devices or attachments that could indicate tampering, such as skimming devices or Lebanese loops, which are used to fraudulently retain cards.
- Protect Your PIN: Cover the keypad when entering your PIN to prevent any potential onlookers or hidden cameras from capturing your input.
- Stay Aware of Your Surroundings: Be cautious of individuals loitering near ATMs who might offer unsolicited assistance, as this could be a tactic to distract and steal your information or cash.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank statements to detect any unauthorized transactions promptly.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Uganda takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs in Uganda?
No, its not possible. There are no fee-free ATMs in Uganda. The ATM Access Fees vary widely between ATMs – Bank ATMs in Uganda charge anywhere from UGX 5000 to UGX 35,000 ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. So there are no fee-free ATMs you can use in Uganda as a foreign cardholder.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted?
Absolutely yes! You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs in Uganda.
Bitcoin ATMs
Currently, there are no known Bitcoin ATMs operating in Uganda. Additionally, the Bank of Uganda has warned financial institutions against facilitating cryptocurrency transactions, indicating regulatory restrictions on such activities.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Uganda
Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
Citibank: No Citibank ATMs.
Barclays: No Barclays ATMs here, they were bought over by Absa Bank. You may still see some old branded Barclays ATMs.
HSBC: There are no HSBC ATMs here.
Standard Chartered: Yes, there are Standard Chartered ATMs here.
