Trying to plan ahead so any know if card payments are common at hostels in Uganda or cash is king?
Most hostels and guesthouses in Uganda do not reliably accept card payments, even in cities. Some have machines, but they might not work with foreign cards. Others say they accept Visa, but it depends on power or network issues. Cash is more reliable and often cheaper too - some places give a discount for cash. My advice? Don’t count on card payments at check-in. Always have enough UGX for a few nights in your pocket.
Stayed at a couple of hostels in Kampala and Fort Portal while working remotely. Both said they accepted card, but both asked for cash on arrival. One charged an extra fee for using a card - like 5%, which felt off. I just use my Wise card to pull out UGX at a proper bank ATM and pay everything in cash. Uganda is still very cash-driven, especially in budget accommodation.
I messaged my hostel in Entebbe before arriving and they said they accepted card - turns out it was “cash preferred,” and the machine failed when I tried to pay. This was the case in two other hostels I stayed at. So yeah, Uganda hostels mostly operate on cash, even if they technically have machines. I now bring enough for the first few days, then top up as needed at Equity or Stanbic ATMs.
Every hostel I stayed in - from Jinja to Kampala - asked for cash at check-in, even if I booked online. One place claimed they had a card reader, but it “wasn’t working” when I arrived. You can use your card to book on Hostelworld or Booking.com, but for paying the balance, they’ll want shillings. If you don’t want to run to an ATM, come with enough UGX ready.