Why Ugandans Are Crossing the Border Just to Access Their Own Money.

In parts of eastern Uganda, a quiet but telling movement is unfolding at the border. Ordinary Ugandans are crossing into Kenya, not to trade goods or visit family, but simply to withdraw money that already belongs to them. What sounds extreme has become a practical response to growing restrictions around mobile money withdrawals at home, exposing how deeply digital finance is woven into everyday life and how fragile access can become when systems are disrupted.

Mobile money is the backbone of Uganda’s informal economy. From paying school fees and hospital bills to buying food and settling transport fares, services like MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money function as everyday banking tools for millions. When limits were placed on withdrawals and internet access became unreliable during a politically sensitive period, many people suddenly found themselves able to send money but unable to physically access cash when they needed it most.

Along border towns such as Busia, the workaround emerged almost naturally. Ugandans transfer funds from their local mobile wallets to contacts or agents on the Kenyan side, cross the border, withdraw the money in Kenya, and then convert it back to Ugandan shillings. It is inefficient, time-consuming, and costly, but for many, it is the only option available. In a digital age, the irony is striking: crossing an international border has become easier than withdrawing money locally.

The ripple effects are significant. Local mobile money agents in Uganda are losing income as withdrawal activity dries up, while households face delays in handling urgent expenses. For small traders and daily earners, even short interruptions in cash access can disrupt livelihoods. What should be a seamless digital experience instead becomes a physical journey shaped by policy decisions and infrastructure constraints.

Beyond Uganda, the situation is a stark reminder for Africa’s fintech ecosystem. Mobile money has driven financial inclusion at an unprecedented scale, but access is only as strong as the policies and networks that support it. As governments increasingly rely on digital controls, this episode shows how quickly trust and convenience can erode. For now, Ugandans crossing the border for their own money offer a powerful image of both the promise and the limits of Africa’s digital finance revolution.