Not sure if I should carry coins for public transport in Uganda or if card payments are common. Advice?
Been living here for over a year, and I’ve never seen public transport take card. Even the nicer coaches for upcountry travel like Link or Global Coaches want cash at booking counters. Within the city, it’s all cash in hand, whether you're taking a minibus or a motorbike taxi. If you're using SafeBoda or Bolt, you might see a card option, but most drivers will still ask for cash. Load up on 1,000 and 2,000 UGX notes - they’ll be your best friend.
Public transport in Uganda is super affordable, but very analog. In Kampala, I used mostly boda bodas - either hailed from the street or via SafeBoda. Even on the app, most drivers don’t have a setup for card payments, so I always chose the cash option. Matatus are even more old-school - you hand over a few thousand shillings and get squeezed in. Cards aren’t accepted anywhere in the system. Definitely carry local cash, preferably broken into small notes.
Used public transport across Entebbe and Kampala - mostly matatus, boda bodas, and some ride-hailing apps. Every single one was cash-based. No cards, no mobile money unless you're already registered locally. I made the mistake of handing over a 50,000 UGX note for a short ride, and the conductor just looked at me like I was crazy. Bring cash, especially small bills like 1,000s and 2,000s. If you’re wondering “can I pay for public transport in Uganda with card?”, the answer’s no.
No one takes cards on public transport here. I rode matatus and boda bodas daily in Kampala and Jinja - it's all cash-only. A short ride in a matatu costs around 1,500 to 2,000 UGX, and boda bodas (motorbike taxis) vary based on distance. Always carry small bills because they rarely have change. Even ride-hailing apps like SafeBoda work better if you select “pay with cash” - most drivers prefer it. Don’t expect any tap-to-pay options.