Uganda Currency and Exchange Rate Information for the Tourist
Uganda Money Information for TravelersUganda, for the most part, is a cash-based society and although the Uganda Shilling is the official Currency, the Currency of choice for Commerce and Tourism is the US Dollar. You can also use your credit card, (Visa cards and Master Card are most readily accepted) and usually it means 5 to 6 or more percentage surcharge for the privilege of using your card (due to fees that are incurred by merchants in Uganda Banks).
That means one needs to have cash while in the country. Many hotels, safari companies, airlines, Uganda Wildlife Authorities for Gorilla Permits and Park Fees will ask for US dollars. Ugandan Shillings will also be accepted but not at the market exchange rate bureaus. Traveler Cheques are often harder to cash and are cumbersome requiring extra fees in banks. Most Forex Bureaus will not take traveler cheques from you.
Note
- The Ugandan currency is the Ugandan Shilling.- In Uganda they do NOT accept US dollars given out before 2006.
- When you exchange money, use big notes (50 or 100 US dollar). The exchange rate of smaller notes is much lower.
- Make sure notes are not cut, or damaged in any way. They will not be accepted.
- We advise that you budget your cash needs per person:
US$20 per day on full-board tour packages to cover drinks and other personal expenses.
US$40 per day on bed & breakfast tour packages to cover meals, drinks and personal expenses not included.
- Many prices, especially those for Tourists will be in US Dollars, Euros and UK Pound are ok for changing money into Ugandan currency.
- Do not use US Dollars in restaurants, bars, souvenirs since you will lose money in the process.
- Tips for Ugandans should not be in US Dollars but in Ugandan Shillings. Ugandan Shillings can be immediately used by the person that you tipping.
- Bank Notification will enable you to use your Card in Uganda hence avoiding your card from being blocked.
Exchange rate
You can change dollars, pounds and Euros everywhere in Uganda, but the best exchange rates are found in Kampala. It’s good to have some US dollars with you at all times.Exchange Rate: (This was the exchange rate as of July 2018).
|
CURRENCY
|
CROSS
RATES
|
BUYING
RATES
|
SELLING
RATES
|
|
|
US Dollar/Uganda Shilling
|
1.00000
|
3747.33
|
3757.33
|
|
|
Pound Sterling/US Dollar
|
1.39782
|
5024.94
|
5037.92
|
|
|
US Dollar/Swiss Franc
|
0.93710
|
3875.07
|
3885.74
|
|
|
US Dollar/Japanese Yen
|
107.62000
|
33.74
|
33.84
|
|
|
SDR/US Dollar
|
1.44974
|
5264.48
|
5278.98
|
|
|
Australian Dollar/US Dollar
|
0.78450
|
2848.77
|
2856.62
|
|
|
US Dollar/Canadian Dollar
|
1.26640
|
2867.44
|
2875.34
|
|
|
US Dollar/Swedish Krone
|
8.09740
|
448.46
|
449.69
|
|
|
US Dollar/Norwegian Krone
|
7.84580
|
462.84
|
464.11
|
|
|
US Dollar/Danish Krone
|
6.04500
|
600.72
|
602.37
|
|
|
Euro/US Dollar
|
1.23198
|
4473.73
|
4486.05
|
|
|
New Zealand Dollar/US Dollar
|
0.73200
|
2658.13
|
2665.45
|
|
|
US Dollar/Kenya Shilling
|
101.50000
|
35.78
|
35.88
|
|
|
US Dollar/Tanzania Shilling
|
2251.00000
|
1.613
|
1.618
|
|
|
US Dollar/COMESA Dollar
|
1.00000
|
3631.33
|
3641.33
|
|
|
Gold/US Dollar
|
1324.004900
|
|||
ATM & Credit Cards
ATM: In all cities ad big towns you find ATM machines for Stanbic Bank, Barclays or any other bank. They accept most international bank cards and Visa. Do realize that the amount you can take aout per day is limited to about $100,-. Realize as well that ATM's can be empy or not working due to power cuts. Make sure you always have enough cash with you as a back up.
Credit Card: Credit cards are not yet used much in Uganda. Only in Kampala and at mayor hotels and upmarket lodges this can be used.
Traveler Cheques: Traveler cheques are only accepted in a few banks in Kampala and they will give you a terrible rate for it.
The Forex Bureaus at the Grand Imperial Hotel will give you the best rates in town. You can also get good rates at the Kampala Casino.
You can also check for the latest rate types using Google USD to UGX current exchange rate for the day.
Banks in Uganda:
You can always exchange money at a Bank and it might take some time you will get a reasonable rate.
You can use your credit card to get cash at banks, it may also take some time and there are fees incurred.
You can also change your traveler cheques at the bank, however with American Express Traveller Cheques you will need proof of buy and passport to prove ownership of cheques you want to be cashed and you will also receive a lower rate.
Use an International Bank for the best service.
Going to a bank in Uganda can be overwhelming since often the lines will be long.
Using an ATM Machine in Uganda:
If you have a visa debit card it is easy to get the best rate from your country’s currency converted into Shillings. The limit is what your home bank sets per day with the opportunity that you can put your card in again and take out more money- normally up to the daily limit your bank allows at home, which you in many cases can also reset.
Use a Visa ATM card, not having a Visa ATM will cause you some grief at most Bank ATM machines in Uganda. Master Card is not the Debit or Credit Card that is preferred here for some reason.
Safety and Security Issues with ATM Machine are addressed in the above link. Always attempt to use an ATM that gives you a bit of privacy and shield your pin number input. Do not allow any so-called good Samaritan to assist you, most often they are local con artists.
Traveller Cheques:
Its better to use the American Express cheques ones only otherwise you will have a harder time getting your money or no money at all.
There is a payment fee incurred for exchanging the cheque into cash and you will need proof of purchase and passport to prove ownership of the cheque you want to be cashed. You will also receive a lesser exchange rate than when you use Cash.
Using Traveler Cheques in Uganda can become a nuisance and time wasting with a lot of frustration, the best advice is to avoid them and use ATM cards.
Money Changers:
Avoid Money changers at border crossings, because many of them are fraudsters
It is better to avoid Money Changers at the Borders of Rwandan and Ugandan for those who fly into Rwanda and Trek Gorillas in Uganda.
Purchasing Items:
Avoid using dollars when buying items such as crafts and souvenirs.
Exchange your dollars into shillings before you go for any activity that includes hotels, hiring taxis etc
Money Transfers:
Best to use Western Union or Money Gram for your money transfers since bank to bank takes longer and it is hard to get your money. Money transfers such as Western Union will be paid out in Uganda Shillings. If you need US dollars you can then buy them at a Forex Bureau.
You can also now use Western Union and send money directly to someone using Mobile Money transfer in Uganda.
The Best Way to send money to someone in Uganda is to use WorldRemit, PesaPal at a very low fees.
Most Ugandans have a Mobile Phone and Mobile Money account and can receive and send money on their phones using Western Union, PesaPal or WorldRemit and these work mainly on MTN Mobile Money, a phone based Money Transfer Program.
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