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Best Payment Gateways for E-commerce Sites in Uganda

A guide to receiving payments online in Uganda. We compare MTN MoMo, Airtel Money, Pesapal, Flutterwave, and more.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Top Gateways for Uganda
  3. Transaction Fees Comparison
  4. Settlement Times & Liquidity
  5. Security & PCI Compliance
  6. Global vs. Local: Can I use Stripe?
  7. Emerging Trend: Crypto & Stablecoins
  8. Key Considerations
  9. Summary & Key Takeaways
  10. Common FAQs

For any e-commerce business in Uganda, the ability to accept payments seamlessly is the lifeblood of success. With Mobile Money being the dominant payment method, simply accepting Visa cards isn't enough. In 2026, diversity in payment options—from MoMo to Crypto—is key to conversion.

Payment Gateways Logos

Here are the top payment gateways you should consider for your Ugandan online store.

Top Payment Gateways

1. Flutterwave

Flutterwave is a powerhouse in African payments. It allows you to accept Mobile Money (MTN & Airtel), Visa, MasterCard, and even bank transfers.

  • Pros: Modern dashboard, supports multi-currency, reliable MoMo integration.
  • Cons: Verification process can sometimes be lengthy.

2. Pesapal

Pesapal is a veteran in the East African market. It's widely trusted by hotels and tour operators.

  • Pros: Strong local presence, verified trust.
  • Cons: Integration documentation can feel slightly dated compared to newer players.

3. MTN MoMo Open API

If you want to cut out the middleman, you can integrate directly with MTN.

  • Pros: Direct integration means slightly lower fees.
  • Cons: Only covers MTN customers (you'd need a separate one for Airtel), requires significant developer expertise to implement securely.

4. DPO Group

Popular among large enterprises and airlines, DPO offers robust security and fraud protection.

  • Pros: High security, good for high-volume transactions.
  • Cons: Setup fees and monthly maintenance costs can be high for small businesses.

5. Eversend for Business

A newer player offering sleek solutions for collecting payments and managing currency exchange.

Mobile Money transaction

Transaction Fees Comparison

Fees vary depending on the payment method (MoMo vs. Card). Note that these are estimated averages for 2026.

GatewayMoMo FeeCard Fee (Visa/MC)Setup FeeUser Rating
Flutterwave~2.9%~3.8%Free⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Pesapal~3.0%~3.5%Free⭐⭐⭐⭐
DPO GroupVariable~3.2%Paid⭐⭐⭐⭐
MTN Direct~2.0%N/AVariable⭐⭐⭐

Financial Data

Settlement Times & Liquidity

In Uganda, "T+1" settlement means you get your money one day after the customer pays. Flutterwave and Pesapal are reliable for this, which is critical for retailers who need to restock quickly. Some providers now offer Instant Settlement for a slightly higher fee, which is a game-changer for cash flow.

Clock and Money

Security & PCI Compliance

Never store credit card numbers on your own server. Reputation is everything. Reputable gateways use tokenization, ensuring that sensitive data never touches your database, protecting you from liability.

Security Lock

Global vs. Local Gateways: The Stripe Question

Can you use Stripe in Uganda? Technically, no, unless you have a US/Europe registered entity. For 99% of Ugandan SMEs, local aggregators like Flutterwave are the better, fully-legal choice. They handle the difficult regulatory landscape of the Bank of Uganda for you.

Global Map

Emerging Trend: Crypto & Stablecoins

In 2026, we are seeing a rise in businesses accepting Stablecoins (USDC/USDT).

  • Why? Fees are often less than 1%, and settlement is instant global-wide.
  • How? Gateways like BitPay or Coinbase Commerce can be integrated, or newer African-focused crypto gateways like Yellow Card (business API). While niche, it opens your business to tech-savvy global customers.

Key Considerations

  • Mobile Money is King: Ensure your gateway prioritizes MoMo. 80%+ of Ugandan transactions happen via phone.
  • Settlement Time: How fast does the money hit your bank account? (Usually T+1 to T+3 days).
  • Transaction Fees: typically range from 2.5% to 3.5%.

Conclusion

For most SMEs, Flutterwave offers the best balance of ease-of-use and features. However, for specific enterprise needs, DPO or direct integrations might be better.

Summary & Key Takeaways

  • Aggregators vs. Direct: Aggregators (Flutterwave) are easier; Direct (MTN API) is cheaper but harder.
  • Local Trust: Pesapal is great for tourism/hotels.
  • Future Ready: Consider enabling Crypto payments if your target audience is international.

Common FAQs

1. Can I receive international payments? Yes, Flutterwave, Pesapal, and DPO all allow you to receive Visa/MasterCard payments from abroad.

2. How do I get my money? The gateway settles the funds to your bank account or mobile money wallet, usually within 24-48 hours.

3. Is it secure? Yes, reputable gateways are PCI-DSS compliant, meaning they meet strict security standards for handling card data.

4. Can I accept Bitcoin? Yes, but you will likely need a specific gateway like Yellow Card or standard crypto wallet integration alongside your main processor.

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