Top Payment Gateways in Uganda: A Detailed Guide for Businesses

Payments in Uganda look simple until you try to scale.

Mobile money dominates day-to-day transactions. Cards matter for online and international customers. Banks are still important for large and regulated payments.

The challenge is that no single gateway works perfectly for every business.

This guide breaks down the top payment gateways in Uganda, how they actually work, their strengths, their limits, and the type of businesses that should use them.

If you run an SME, a startup, an online platform, or an international business entering Uganda, this article will help you make the right decision.

Why Choosing the Right Payment Gateway in Uganda Matters

Ugandan customers are sensitive to friction.

If a payment fails, they move on. If settlement delays, your cash flow suffers. If support is slow, trust is lost.

A good payment gateway does three things well:

• Accepts the payment methods your customers already use

• Settles funds reliably and on time

• Scales with your business as volumes grow

How We Evaluated These Payment Gateways

This list is based on practical criteria, not marketing claims.

We considered:

• Support for MTN and Airtel Mobile Money

• Card acceptance and bank integrations

• Settlement speed and currency handling

• Reliability and uptime

• Ease of integration and onboarding

• Local compliance and support

• Ability to handle regional and global expansion

Quick Comparison Overview

Gateway	Local Payments	Cards	Cross Border	Payouts	Ideal Business Type
DusuPay	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Regional and global platforms
Elemitech	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	High growth and complex businesses
Pesapal	Yes	Yes	Limited	No	SMEs and local eCommerce
DPO	Yes	Yes	Limited	No	Enterprises
Yo Uganda	Yes	No	No	Limited	Utilities and bulk collectors

1. DusuPay

Overview

DusuPay positions itself as a bridge between Africa and the global economy. It is built for global businesses that need to collect money from Uganda and other African countries while also paying out across borders.

Unlike purely local gateways, DusuPay focuses heavily on multi-country coverage and currency handling.

Supported Payment Methods

• MTN Mobile Money

• Airtel Money

• Visa and Mastercard

• Local bank transfers

• International payments and settlements

Key Capabilities

DusuPay offers a single integration that allows businesses to:

• Accept payments from multiple African countries

• Convert currencies automatically

• Settle funds locally or internationally

This reduces the need for separate providers in each country.

Pricing and Fees

Pricing varies depending on:

• Payment method

• Country

• Transaction volume

Businesses with higher volumes generally receive better rates.

Ideal Use Cases

DusuPay works best for:

• International companies entering Uganda

• Marketplaces operating across Africa

• Digital platforms with customers in multiple countries

• Businesses that need both collections and payouts

Strengths

• Strong regional coverage

• Handles FX and cross-border settlement well

• Reliable infrastructure for scale

Limitations

• Onboarding may feel heavy for very small businesses

• Not designed for informal or offline merchants

Bottom Line

DusuPay is best for businesses that think beyond Uganda and need a gateway that grows with regional ambitions.

2. Elemitech

Overview

Elemitech is not just a payment gateway. It is payment infrastructure.

It is designed for businesses that need more than basic collections. This includes payouts, currency conversion, compliance, and settlement across different regions.

Elemitech is widely used by high-risk and high-volume industries.

Supported Payment Methods

• Mobile money wallets

• Local bank accounts

• Local and international cards

• Bulk payouts

• FX conversion

• Crypto and fiat settlements

Key Capabilities

Elemitech provides:

• A single API for collections and payouts

• Infrastructure built for complex payment flows

• Support for businesses operating in regulated or high-risk sectors

It removes the need to manage multiple providers for different payment functions.

Ideal Use Cases

Elemitech is ideal for:

• Gaming platforms

• Forex and crypto businesses

• International SaaS platforms

• Marketplaces with sellers and buyers

• Businesses that need to pay out users, not just collect money

Strengths

• Handles complex and high-risk use cases

• Strong compliance and monitoring

• Designed for scale and global settlement

Limitations

• Overkill for small local merchants

• Requires technical integration

Bottom Line

If your business model involves payouts, FX, or international settlement, Elemitech is built for you.

3. Pesapal

Overview

Pesapal is one of the most recognizable payment gateways in Uganda and East Africa. It is widely used by SMEs and eCommerce businesses.

Its strength lies in simplicity and familiarity.

Supported Payment Methods

• MTN Mobile Money

• Airtel Money

• Visa and Mastercard

• Bank transfers

Key Capabilities

Pesapal focuses on:

• Easy checkout experiences

• Simple integrations

• Compatibility with popular eCommerce platforms

Pricing and Fees

• Setup fees may apply

• Transaction based fees depending on payment method

Ideal Use Cases

Pesapal is suitable for:

• Small and medium businesses

• Online stores

• Hotels and service providers

• Businesses operating mainly in Uganda and East Africa

Strengths

• Easy to get started

• Trusted brand

• Strong local support

Limitations

• Limited flexibility for advanced payment flows

• Cross-border features are basic

Bottom Line

Pesapal is a good starting point for local businesses that want a reliable and simple payment gateway.

4. DPO Group

Overview

DPO Group is an enterprise-focused payment processor with a strong emphasis on card payments and compliance.

It is commonly used by large organizations that value stability and structured processes.

Supported Payment Methods

• Card payments

• Mobile money

• Bank transfers

Key Capabilities

DPO offers:

• Enterprise grade security

• Detailed reporting and reconciliation

• Regional payment coverage

Pricing and Fees

Pricing is structured and often higher than SME-focused gateways.

Ideal Use Cases

DPO is ideal for:

• Large enterprises

• Airlines and hospitality

• Corporates with compliance requirements

Bottom Line

DPO is best for businesses that prioritize stability, compliance, and scale over speed.

5. Yo Uganda

Overview

Yo Uganda is a long-established local payment aggregator with deep integrations into Uganda’s telecom ecosystem.

It is heavily used by institutions and utilities.

Supported Payment Methods

• MTN Mobile Money

• Airtel Money

• USSD payments

Key Capabilities

Yo Uganda excels in:

• Bulk collections

• USSD-based payments

• Institutional payment flows

Pricing and Fees

Pricing is usually negotiated based on volume and use case.

Ideal Use Cases

Yo Uganda is ideal for:

• Utilities

• Schools

• NGOs

• Government services

• High volume local collections

Strengths

• Strong telecom integrations

• Reliable for mobile money

• Deep local market knowledge

Limitations

• Limited card support

• Not designed for international businesses

Bottom Line

Yo Uganda works best for local, high volume, mobile money driven payment use cases.

Related: Top Payment Gateways in Africa

How to Choose the Right Payment Gateway in Uganda

Ask yourself:

• Are my customers local or international?

• Do I only need to collect money or also pay out?

• How fast do I need settlements?

• Will I expand beyond Uganda?

Your answers point you to the right provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I accept mobile money payments online in Uganda? Yes. Most gateways support MTN and Airtel Mobile Money.

How long do settlements take? Settlement times range from same day to several days depending on the provider and method.

Do I need a Ugandan company to use these gateways? Some require local registration. Others support foreign entities.

Which gateway is best for cross-border payments? DusuPay and Elemitech are better suited for cross-border use cases.

Final Take

Uganda has strong payment infrastructure. The challenge is not availability. It is choosing the right fit.

Pick a gateway that supports how your customers pay today and how your business will operate tomorrow.