If you have been on the lookout for how to receive online payments in Uganda or how to withdraw your funds, this is a guide you absolutely been looking for. I suppose you have browsed the whole internet but with no solution.

Well, I have faced the same challenge for a good period of time. I always wanted to write this article on how to receive online payments in Uganda. Still, then, I also didn’t want that it looks like the others you have been reading all over the internet and moreover give you the same alternatives which probably haven’t been tested by the authors themselves.

Having operated an online store for now about 5 years in a row, I would like to put my experience for you by writing a definitive guide on how to receive online payments in Uganda, not only that but also how to open, operate and receive your PayPal payments.

I have looked out for the most convenient ways in the last couple of years. The challenge here may not be getting the funds into your online account. Let’s say you’re selling an ebook on Amazon or getting funds into your payment gateway.

The challenge is about getting the funds in your Ugandan bank account or local payment processor. This is one of the biggest challenges I have faced in the last couple of years. Imagine, if you aren’t going to purchase any product or service online.

Let’s say ordering a handbag on Aliexpress, eBay or purchasing a domain name, there are very few or not even any businesses in Uganda where you would check in physically and ask if they will accept your Paypal money, or from any other payment processor.

Most or if not every store or business in Uganda requires you to make cash payments. The few that will accept card payments ie, using your credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Payoneer) will limit you to using it on only POS (Point Of Sale) machines/terminals.

This means that you will be exempted from using your card to make payments through available online means. Ie, ordering a dress or a pair of headsets from an online store of your choice.

You may use this guide on to apply and get a Payoneer MasterCard in Uganda or read this guide on how to get and use the MTN MoMO MasterCard.

Below is a screenshot of a chat I had with one of Posta Uganda’s representatives the day I wanted to pay for a parcel shipment using part of my PayPal account balance.

So in this guide, I would like to give as many details as possible so as to enable you to have your funds in cash and here I mean getting your account balances from your PayPal account, or from any other payment gateways.

NOTE: I have personally in one way or another tried out all the suggestions I write here. Most of them have been practical experience gained in the last years carrying out transactions online. In no way will I write or recommend something I haven’t tested. And if any, I will also mention them.

Having that said, let’s dive in. I will split this guide on how to receive online payments in Uganda into two sections.

Section one will be on how to receive/withdraw PayPal payments/balances in Uganda and section two will be on how to receive/withdraw payments from merchant accounts and several other payment gateways.

1. How to Receive or Withdraw PayPal Payments In Uganda

You have in some way or another heard of PayPal. It’s arguably the most trusted online payment gateway in the world.  In simple terms, you can use PayPal to send and receive payments to friends and family, pay in online stores, and book airline tickets just to mention but a few.

As per writing this article on how to withdraw and receive online payments in Uganda, PayPal accounts holders here (Uganda) aren’t in the position to be paid/receive money into their PayPal accounts.

The trick used by PayPal users in Uganda is to open an account based in another country where PayPal permits receiving and withdrawing account payments ie in Kenya.

To Read: How To Pay Social Media Tax (OTT Tax) on All Networks

How to Receive PayPal payments in Uganda

For those leaving in not permitted countries. (this is against Paypal terms of service)

Step 1: Get a friend from a PayPal-permitted country, and open a PayPal account based in their country where PayPal permits receiving of funds into your account.

Step 2: Let them verify your account with a phone number, email and bank card (with that country code)

Step 3: Then start to accept payments. Please make sure NOT to link a credit card/debit card for a bank operating in a non-permitted country into your PayPal account that’s based in another country. Paypal will decline your account since they only verify your card based on its holder/bank address. I have however come to learn that Visa Prepaid cards from non-PayPal-supported countries can be used.

Step 4: When the payment/s jet into your account, perhaps from a friend based in another country, business or a donation. Then here is where the hustle begins. Getting your funds into your Ugandan bank account, mobile money, western union or physical cash.

5 Ways How To Withdraw Paypal Payments In Uganda

Note: Since your PayPal account isn’t linked to any bank or card due to address verification, you’re not in a position to send this money to any other account or to friends since PayPal will require you to add a source of funds normally a credit/debit card or bank account. (But if your friend did this for you, then you’re good to go)

However, there is an option for individual PayPal account holders. In your account > under settings > source of funds, you simply change that to PayPal balance. For business merchant PayPal account holders, there isn’t this option as of writing this guide.

Here are the five ways to withdraw PayPal payments.

#1. Oracle Exchange (Service Closed Shop)

Oracle Exchange is a retail business, which sells, buys and exchanges digital ‘currency’ units online. So basically, you will order a service from them such as PayPal to western union, PayPal to money gram, PayPal to a credit card or even PayPal to money gram. This means that you will use your PayPal balance to actually order and pay for any of those services.

In the process of ordering, let’s say, you will receive your PayPal funds via western union, you will be required to order for the service PayPal to website union. You enter the amount you want to receive in USD, then add their commission which is USD 10+, and then also pay for the transaction itself.

#2. Gateway.co.ug

These guys have been at this thing for a while. I have used their services and I would recommend them. Via just an email, I managed to order a withdrawal of an amount from my PayPal balance. Off that, I paid a 10% commission plus a few charges I realised as a conversion from USD to UGX into my mobile money account.

I would again stress that I could not use my merchant PayPal account to withdraw the funds, so what we did was actually order a service from them via an online store equivalent to the money I actually wanted. Then, their team offered it as payment. This was a win-win situation for both sides. Kudos!!

#3. Payzug.com

Payzug is also a Ugandan-based online payment platform developed by Pro Media Systems (U) LTD. With this platform, you’re able to signup for an account. The account avails you with a float. The float is actually the money you’re able to withdraw. A 10% commission is paid to them automatically.

The downside of this system is that it limits on the amount of money you can withdraw at a particular period of time as the float keeps changing. However, one thing I would say is that they’re genuine. I personally tried a couple of transactions which failed since I was ordering precisely the float limit and hence the transaction couldn’t get through.

However, their team always issued a refund of the funds into my PayPal account. It should also be noted that once the transaction is a success, it is instantly issued to your mobile money account.

#4. ePaySwift Uganda

Chuchi Enterprise Ltd a registered company in Kenya trading as ePaySwift has been in this game for a long. They have processed successful withdrawals for Paypal and Payoneer users in Kenya. ePay Swift enables Kenyans to withdraw money directly to their Mpesa accounts.

The good news here is, ePay Swift has launched in Uganda and you can as well use their service to withdraw your funds directly to your mobile money accounts (MTN and Airtel). Payments are processed daily Monday to Saturday. Yes, a commission of 10% + 3 of your transaction will be charged.

#5. PayPal to Mpesa

For those of you operating PayPal accounts based in other countries, there is good news too. Paypal partnered with Transfer to and Safaricom to bring an amazing experience if you own a Kenyan Paypal account and are also registered on Mpesa.

You can directly withdraw your funds from Paypal to Mpesa with no third party and no paying commissions. This service is only limited to Kenya Paypal users. Payments are withdrawn to your Mpesa within two hours. If you wish to use this service, here is a step by step guide to register for Paypal – Mpesa service by Sheeroh.

The Other Ways How To Withdraw Paypal Funds / Money in Uganda

1. Paypal Funds into Bitcoins and then exchange Bitcoins into your local bank or into your visa/MasterCard, I haven’t tried out this myself. But according to reviews in different forums, I read that it was a success to the users.

2. Signing up for a Payoneer MasterCard. The Payoneer system simply works like this, Sign up to Payoneer > Receive Payments to your Payoneer account from companies worldwide > Withdraw funds to your local bank or via Payoneer Prepaid card.

In this case, by simply owning a Payoneer MasterCard, you can link it up with your PayPal account. With this, you are able to withdraw your PayPal funds directly onto your Payoneer MasterCard instantly. You can then withdraw your money in Uganda anywhere on an ATM that accepts MasterCard.

2. Receive Payments From Online Merchants and Payment Gateway

If you’re running an online store, let’s say a shoe store, supermarket, website hosting and domain registration store, money transfer, just to mention but a few. You need a payment gateway.

A payment gateway simply provides you with an Application Programming Interface (API) which you have to integrate with your online store and begin to seamlessly accept and receive payments. In order to start receiving payments, one needs to sign up for a merchant account with the payment gateway company of their choice.

In Uganda, if you’re looking at receiving payments from buyers who use mobile money, credit and debit cards, there’re many players in the industry providing you with simple and secure payments to have this solved. I have personally tried out services from Pesapal, Beyonic and Dusupay.

With Pesapal, you are in the position to signup for a merchant account, and here you will be able to get an API to integrate with your online store. For those who use WordPress as a CMSs, you are catered for already with a cool plugin that you simply have to install in your WordPress plugin area.

Thereafter, you’re able to add bank details which will be required in order to transfer funds from your Pesapal merchant account into your bank account.  Other payment gateway companies available in Uganda are; Direct Pay Online, Instapay just to mention but a few.

Update 25th- July 2019

Unfortunately, you can no-longer use your Payoneer Mastercard to withdraw funds from your Paypal as Paypal no longer accepts withdraws associated with Payoneer bank accounts. The best you can do is to link your master card to another marketplace that accepts mastercards.

If you’re specifically looking for a way to withdraw from Paypal or Payoneer to mobile money, be sure to check out this article.

In Closing

I hope this guide on how to receive online payments in Uganda has in some way brought you value. Receiving your hard-earned money from service providers worldwide including Ad agencies, and eCommerce marketplaces have never been easy.

Hopefully while reading this guide, you have got an idea. I may not have covered your specific area of interest but am certain this will save you lots of time. If you feel that I left out anything or if something needs to be corrected, please don’t hesitate to hit me up.

Also, I welcome your feedback in the comment box below.

Disclaimer:  I am not responsible in any way whatsoever for what happens while carrying out your transactions. This article is only for knowledge and educational purposes and NOT in any way am I recommending a specific service or product. Therefore, you are responsible for your own actions and decisions.