Ugandans have shown increasing frustration as mobile money restrictions remain in place days after the January 15 general elections, with MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda still enforcing tight transaction limits and no withdrawals.
Despite President Yoweri Museveni being declared winner on January 17 with 71.65% of the vote, mobile money users are still capped at UGX 500,000 per transaction and UGX 1.5 million per day, with many agents reporting that cash withdrawals are completely blocked.
The limits were imposed following a directive from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ahead of the polls, reportedly aimed at curbing misinformation and maintaining public order. However, with voting concluded and results announced, many are questioning why the restrictions are yet to be lifted.
Small business owners and mobile money agents say the continued limits are hurting daily operations, choking cash flow and pushing customers back to carrying physical cash raising fresh concerns about safety and theft.
Adding to the confusion, some users are questioning UCC’s role in mobile money regulation, noting that mobile money services typically fall under the oversight of the Bank of Uganda, not the telecom regulator.
In a brief statement shared by mobile money platforms, users were told: “Mobile Money restrictions are still in place as per UCC directive. There is no defined timeline for full restoration at the moment. We regret any inconveniences this may cause.”
Mobile Money restrictions are still in place as per UCC directive. There is no defined timeline for full restoration at the moment. We regret any inconveniences this may cause. -Kind Regards, MTNAndrew
— MTN Uganda (@mtnug) January 19, 2026
