Ugandans in Busia cross into Kenya to access mobile money services

A section of residents in Busia District have resorted to crossing into Busia County, Kenya, to withdraw money from their mobile money accounts due to restrictions on cash withdrawals in Uganda.

The restrictions, which started on January 14, 2026, ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections, have not yet been lifted. Currently, most mobile money outlets managed by agents in the district and other parts of Uganda are closed.

Residents at the Busia border are now sending their funds from Ugandan MTN and Airtel accounts to Kenyan mobile money wallets, withdrawing Kenyan shillings, and then exchanging them back into Ugandan shillings.

They say this does not affect them significantly because transaction charges in Kenya are lower than in Uganda, and the money they receive is equivalent to the amount deposited in their accounts.

"Mobile money businesses are not working. As you are aware, Uganda is not for the weak or strong but for the wise. For us to survive, some people have been transferring their mobile money to Safaricom, then travelling to Kenya to withdraw it.

If you have Airtel Money, transfer it to Airtel Kenya and withdraw it from agents in Kenya. The rates are cheap," said MHamphrance Abangi, an internet café operator in Busia.

He said he allows clients to send money through his account, then crosses into Kenya to withdraw, helping them navigate the restrictions.

The Solo Village chairperson, Mangeni Wacha, explained that restrictions on mobile money transactions have affected many people, making it difficult to support sick relatives or meet urgent household needs.

"In my village, the ordinary people who are unable to maneovre around the restrictions are suffering a lot. Many of them have relatives who wire support through mobile money. Imagine having a sick relative but the only support you can get is through mobile money. They should lift the restrictions since elections are done," he said.

Francis Wanyama from Busia said life has become harder due to withdrawal restrictions and appealed to the government to lift them, as elections for major posts have concluded.