The verdict in three sentences
In Uganda, two operators run the mobile money market — MTN MoMo and Airtel Money — with MTN typically ahead and Airtel a strong challenger, both in Ugandan shillings (UGX). For an online store in Kampala, both offer Collections APIs so customers can pay directly from their wallets. The 2026 rule: accept both operators, wire the Collections API for real-time confirmation, and complete merchant KYC to unlock higher limits.
MTN MoMo vs Airtel Money in Kampala
The two operators dominate; ignoring either loses a large share of buyers. Both provide merchant Collections APIs, the backbone of any e-commerce checkout.
| Operator | Share (est. 2026) | Merchant fee | Daily limit | Collections API | Merchant KYC delay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTN MoMo | ~55% | 1.0% – 2.0% | ~7,000,000 UGX | Yes (MoMo API) | 2 to 5 days |
| Airtel Money | ~40% | 1.0% – 2.0% | ~7,000,000 UGX | Yes (Airtel API) | 3 to 7 days |
| Others / cash | ~5% | variable | lower | Limited | — |
These are 2026 orders of magnitude; exact limits depend on account status and Bank of Uganda rules.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Know merchants in Kampala who want to sell online with MTN MoMo and Airtel Money? The Kolonell referral (apporteur d'affaires) program pays you for every project you introduce — no coding, no project management on your side.
| Project type | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase website | 15% | + 5% recurring |
| E-commerce store | 12% | per contract |
| Marketplace | 10% | per contract |
| Institutional site | 8% | per contract |
Concretely: introduce an e-commerce project billed at the equivalent of 2,000,000 FCFA and you earn 240,000 FCFA. On a showcase site at 500,000 FCFA, that is 75,000 FCFA plus 5% recurring on maintenance. A qualified introduction is all it takes.
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Mini case study
David, an independent consultant in Kampala, knows a dozen merchants. He joins the Kolonell referral program and introduces 3 projects in a quarter: two showcase sites (500,000 FCFA each) and one e-commerce store (2,000,000 FCFA).
His commissions: 2 × 75,000 FCFA = 150,000 FCFA on the showcase sites, plus 240,000 FCFA on the store, for 390,000 FCFA in one quarter — plus 5% recurring on the showcase maintenance. All without writing a line of code.
FAQ
MTN MoMo or Airtel Money in Uganda? Both. MTN leads but Airtel holds around 40%, so accepting only one turns away a large share of customers.
What are the merchant fees? An order of magnitude of 1.0% to 2.0% per collection depending on operator and volume, in UGX.
How do I take payments online? Use each operator's Collections API for real-time confirmation, ideally through a unified module that routes to MTN or Airtel automatically.
How long is merchant KYC? Roughly 2 to 5 days for MTN MoMo and 3 to 7 days for Airtel Money, with business documents, to unlock higher limits.
How do I become a Kolonell referral partner? Contact us, introduce a qualified project, and earn 15% on a showcase site (+5% recurring), 12% e-commerce, 10% marketplace, 8% institutional.
Let's talk about your project. Whether you are a Kampala merchant or a referral partner, we integrate MTN MoMo and Airtel Money and pay you for your introductions. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
