Are Credit Cards Accepted in Uganda?
Credit cards are accepted at upmarket hotels, lodges, and some tourist-oriented businesses in Kampala. However, Uganda remains largely a cash economy, and card acceptance is limited in most situations.
Safari lodges, quality hotels in Kampala, and some restaurants and shops accept Visa and Mastercard. American Express has very limited acceptance. Card transactions often incur surcharges of 3-5% to cover processing fees.
Outside major hotels and lodges, expect to use cash. Markets, local restaurants, transport, tips, and small purchases require shillings. Even where cards are accepted, machines sometimes malfunction or lose connectivity.
Bring sufficient cash for your trip, supplemented by ATM withdrawals in Kampala or Entebbe. Notify your bank of travel plans to prevent fraud holds. Consider carrying multiple forms of payment (different cards, some cash) in case of issues with any single source.
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