Looking for the best way to send money from the United States to family, friends or businesses in Uganda (or even to your own overseas bank account)?
Don't head straight to your American bank – compare specialist money transfer services instead. They nearly always offer better UGX exchange rates and lower fees, so for the same amount of US dollars you send, your recipient will receive more Uganda shillings.
Of the companies we've compared, Western Union is among the cheapest, with competitive exchange rates and fees starting from $0. Need a really fast transfer? Western Union can get money to your recipient in Uganda within minutes.
Best ways to send money to Uganda from the US
The best way to send money to Uganda depends on your payment method, how you want your money to be received and how fast you need it to arrive.
- Online money transfer provider. When buying US dollars or Uganda shillings money transfer specialists typically offer better rates and cheaper fees than a local bank.
- Bank transfer. Bank transfers are an easy way to send money to Uganda but they charge extra for the convenience and are often slower than other methods. US banks generally add a 3% to 6% markup onto exchange rates.
- Cash pickup. If you need your money to arrive fast, cash pickup gives your recipient instant access to the money you've sent when they collect it from their agent location in Uganda.
- Mobile wallet. Essentially an electronic wallet service, mobile wallets allow users to store, send and receive eligible currencies using their phone, often with fees attached.
- Home delivery. If your recipient may struggle to get to a cash pickup location, you may be able to opt for door-to-door cash delivery.
Compare the best money transfer companies to send money to Uganda
Use our table to compare the best money transfer companies to send money to Uganda. You can compare deposit and receiving options, fees and transfer speeds, then click the "Go to site" button when you've found the best one to get your money to Uganda.
Cheapest way to send money to Uganda
Bank transfers are typically the cheapest way to get your money to Uganda. Western Union and MoneyGram have some of the lowest bank transfer fees of the brands we've compared.
When you're hunting down the cheapest ways to send money to Uganda, it's more important to look at the overall cost of your transfer. This has a couple of elements:
- Transfer fees. While still cheaper than your American bank, some money transfer services charge either a fixed or percentage-based fee for making your transfer.
- Exchange rates. Another way money transfer providers make money is to add a margin to the mid-market USD/UGX exchange rate.
Some providers may charge the mid-market rate but add fees on top. Others may have very low fees but apply a markup on the exchange rate. This means it is important to compare exactly how many Uganda shillings your recipient will end up with.
Fastest way to send money to Uganda
Many online providers can offer transfers to Uganda within minutes, although you're likely to pay a premium for the convenience.
Here are some of the fastest average transfer speeds to Uganda:
- Western Union — within minutes
- Wise (TransferWise) — within minutes
- MoneyGram — within minutes
Actual transfer times from the United States to Uganda can depend on several different factors including transfer amount, payment method and currency.
Safest way to send money to Uganda
The safest way to get your money to Uganda is to use a provider registered with the United States's industry regulator, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. All of the companies we've compared in our table are overseen by a local regulator and comply with the relevant laws and regulations in both the United States and Uganda.
A great way to dive deeper is by reading our extended reviews of each transfer service and researching first-hand customer feedback on Trustpilot and similar platforms.
Large money transfers to Uganda
If you need to make a sizable money transfer to Uganda, consider using a provider such as to benefit from its expertise in handling larger transfer amounts.
Using a large transfer specialist can have the following advantages:- Tax guidance. Large transfers to Uganda may have tax implications for you or your recipient. A transfer specialist can help get you up to speed on IRS's latest advice.
- Foreign exchange (forex) tools. Advanced tools such as forward contracts, limit orders and stop-loss orders can help you lock in the UGX exchange rate you want.
- Account manager. Some money transfer providers assign a personal account manager who can help and advise you on your transfer needs.
- Phone service. If you want to talk your transfer through with someone, providers such as Western Union and Airwallex can give you support over the phone.
How to send money to Uganda from the US
To send money to Uganda, you'll need the necessary documentation, your recipient's details and a way to pay.
- Compare your options.
Use our table to find a money transfer provider that sends funds to Uganda. One may be better for cash pickups while another may suit a bank transfer. Once you've found the best one for your requirements, click "Go to site".
- Create an account.
You'll need to give your name, address, contact details, proof of ID and method of payment.
- Provide your recipient's details.
Enter your recipient's name and contact information. If you're sending straight to their Ugandan bank account, you'll need the account number, SWIFT or IBAN plus their bank branch's address.
- Enter your transfer amount.
Check you're happy with the fees, exchange rates and transfer speed, then enter the amount you wish to send. Double-check the total Uganda shillings your recipient gets.
- Complete your transfer.
Send your money transfer to Uganda. Keep your transaction reference number safe so you can track your transfer. Your recipient may need it too.
How to choose the best money transfer companies to send money to Uganda
When choosing a money transfer provider to send money from the United States to Uganda, it's important to consider the cost, how you want your recipient to receive the funds and the turnaround time. Here are other features to review:
Frequently asked questions
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There are multiple ways to pay for your money transfer to Uganda. The most common payment methods include bank transfer, credit card and debit card.
How you pay can influence how quickly your Uganda shillings arrive and the total cost of your transfer, so consider both when deciding.
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- Photo identification: Most providers require a driver's license, passport or other American government-issued ID.
- A way to pay: Your options depend on the provider's services. Popular methods include cash, debit or credit card and bank account transfers.
- Recipient information: You'll need their name (matching their ID) plus contact details. If sending to a Ugandan bank account, you'll need their account number, SWIFT and branch details.
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- Transfer number: The reference number – sometimes called a PIN, MTCN or tracking number.
- Government-issued ID: An official ID, such as a Ugandan passport or driver's license.
- The transfer amount: To know how much has been sent, usually to within 10% of the total.
- Sender information: The sender's name and address and the transfer's country of origin.
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This depends on the provider you choose as each will have its own sending limit. For example, services such as Western Union and Wise (TransferWise) allow you to transfer as little as $1 while others will have a significantly higher minimum threshold.
Remember that some providers will have maximum transfer amounts as well, either as a result of American tax policies or because their service is more limited. If you need to send a large transfer, look for a provider that has higher or no sending limits to Uganda.
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The turnaround time for a money transfer to Uganda depends on the provider and how you pay for the transfer. Expect your transfer to arrive within minutes if you pay using cash or with a debit or credit card. Paying by bank transfer can take longer – usually 2–5 days.
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Yes, you can still send a money transfer if neither you nor your recipient in Uganda has a bank account. Look at cash transfer providers such as Western Union where you can pay with cash and your recipient can collect it as cash or as mobile phone reload on the other end.
