Uganda USSD Codes 2026: MTN, Airtel, Lyca, Africell & Mobile Money

USSD codes are still the lifeline of mobile services in Uganda. From buying airtime to sending MTN Mobile Money or Airtel Money, more than 36.7 million active mobile money users rely on short USSD strings every day. This 2026 reference compiles the current Uganda USSD codes for MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda, Lycamobile, Africell, Uganda Telecom and Smart Telecom, plus mobile money, data bundles, balance checks and customer care numbers. Bookmark it and share it with your customers and field teams.

Why USSD still dominates Uganda's mobile economy

Uganda is one of the world's most USSD-dependent markets. According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) quarterly market report for Q1 2026, the country recorded:

• 36.7 million active mobile money users, up from 36.3 million at the end of 2025.
• 58.7 million registered mobile money accounts.
• 20.9 billion voice call minutes in the quarter.
• Shs 1.60 trillion in gross telecom revenue.

UCC has also noted that MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda together hold more than 90% of the market, with Lycamobile entering the scene as a fourth licensed network, alongside the smaller Africell, UTL and Smart Telecom legacies. USSD remains the dominant interface because it works on every handset, on 2G, with no data bundle required.

How USSD codes work in Uganda

USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) is a real-time, session-based protocol that runs over the GSM signalling channel. You dial a short string starting with * and ending with #, the network opens a session with the service, and you navigate menus by typing digits. Sessions are typically free, billed by the service, or billed per session by the mobile operator.

For a deeper dive into how USSD is built and billed, read our guide on Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) and our comprehensive guide to building USSD applications.

MTN Uganda USSD codes

MTN Uganda is the country's largest network. The shortcuts below cover prepaid, postpaid, mobile money and value-added services.

MTN Uganda essentials

• MTN self-service menu: *160#
• Check airtime balance: *156#
• Load airtime voucher: *165*3*voucher number#
• Know your number: *135*8#
• 1-4-1 Loyalty (Zone, points): *141#

MTN Uganda data and bundles

• Data bundles menu: *150#
• Check data balance: *131#
• Voice and SMS bundles: *150*1#
• Wakanet Home Internet: *165*1#

MTN MoMo (Mobile Money) USSD codes

• MTN MoMo main menu: *165#
• Send money: *165*1#
• Pay bills (NWSC, Umeme, school fees): *165*3#
• Buy airtime with MoMo: *165*5#
• MoMo Pay (merchant): *165*3*3#
• Check MoMo balance: *165*4#
• MoMoKash loans and savings: *165*5*5#

MTN Uganda content and customer care

• CallerTunez menu: *170#
• MTN Play content: *180#
• Unsubscribe from content: *175#
• Customer care: 100 (from MTN), 0312120000 (from any line).

Airtel Uganda USSD codes

Airtel Uganda is the second-largest operator and offers a wide range of voice, data and Airtel Money services.

Airtel Uganda essentials

• Main self-service menu: *100#
• Airtime balance (prepaid): *131#
• Balance check (postpaid): *444#
• Recharge airtime: *130*voucher number#
• Know your number: *120#
• Check KYC / SIM registration status: *197#

Airtel Uganda data and bundles

• Data bundles menu: *175#
• SMS bundles: *180#
• International call bundles: *146#
• Bonus and bundle balance: *170#
• CUG (closed user group): *188#

Airtel Money USSD codes

• Airtel Money main menu: *185#
• Send money: *185*1#
• Pay bills (Umeme, NWSC, DStv, GoTV): *185*9#
• Buy airtime: *185*5#
• Check Airtel Money balance: *185*6#
• Wewole (loans) and Sente Yange (savings): *185*7#

Airtel Uganda customer care

• Customer care: 100 (from Airtel), 0752100100 (from any line).
• Who called me: *111#

Lycamobile Uganda USSD codes

Lycamobile launched in Uganda as the fourth network and is positioning itself with cheap voice, data and international rates.

• Main menu: *100#
• Check balance: *131#
• Buy data bundle: *132#
• Check data balance: *133#
• Load airtime: *130*voucher number#
• Customer care: 322 (from Lycamobile).

Africell Uganda USSD codes

Although Africell Uganda exited the consumer market in 2021, legacy and reference codes are included here for archival completeness.

• Airtime balance: *131#
• Recharge airtime: *130*voucher number#
• Data balance and recharge: *133#
• Africell Money: *144#

Uganda Telecom (UTL) and Smart Telecom legacy codes

UTL is under administration and Smart Telecom has wound down, but reference codes remain useful for older SIM cards still in circulation.

Uganda Telecom (UTL)

• Airtime balance: #131# then Call
• Recharge: *130*recharge code#
• Data balance: *160#
• M-Sente mobile money: *185#

Smart Telecom

• Airtime balance: *131#
• Airtime recharge / data: *100#

Cross-network and emergency numbers in Uganda

• Police emergency: 999 or 112
• Ambulance: 911 (private), 999 (state)
• Uganda Communications Commission (UCC): 0800133911 (toll free)
• Bank of Uganda mobile money complaints: 0800300188

How to get a USSD code for your business in Uganda

Whether you run a SACCO, a logistics startup, a school or a government program, a USSD shortcode is one of the cheapest ways to reach Ugandans on any phone. There are two types:

1. Shared USSD codes: you share a parent shortcode (for example *284*X#) with other businesses. Cheaper, faster to provision, ideal for testing and SMEs.
2. Dedicated USSD codes: a 3 or 4 digit code reserved entirely for your brand. Higher monthly fee, requires UCC approval and integration with MTN, Airtel and Lycamobile.

What you need to apply

1. Certificate of incorporation or registration.
2. A clear USSD use case and menu tree document.
3. Identity document of the contact person (passport or national ID).
4. Uganda Revenue Authority TIN, if registered in Uganda.
5. Data protection assessment for sensitive use cases.

HelloDuty handles the full Uganda USSD provisioning workflow, UCC paperwork, MNO onboarding with MTN, Airtel and Lycamobile, hosting and 24/7 monitoring. Email support@helloduty.com or read our guide on choosing the right USSD platform for your business.

USSD use cases that work in Uganda

• Mobile money payments: bill payment, school fees, savings groups.
• SACCO and microfinance: balance enquiry, loan applications, repayment.
• Agriculture and agritech: input ordering, market prices, weather alerts.
• Health: appointment booking, medication reminders, NCD surveys.
• Education: school fees, exam results, e-learning subscriptions.
• Government services: KYC verification, citizen feedback, e-services.

Frequently asked questions

Are USSD codes in Uganda free?

Some self-care codes (balance check, customer care menus) are free. Others, especially mobile money and value-added services, are billed per session or per transaction by the operator.

What is the difference between *165# and *185# in Uganda?

*165# is the MTN Mobile Money menu. *185# is the Airtel Money menu. They are not interoperable end-to-end at the menu level, although bank-to-wallet interoperability exists in the background.

How do I register my SIM card in Uganda via USSD?

Dial *197# on Airtel or follow MTN's *160# self-service menu to check KYC status. Full registration requires a National Identification Number (NIN) and physical verification.

Can I get a custom USSD code for my Ugandan business?

Yes. You can apply for a shared or dedicated shortcode through a licensed aggregator such as HelloDuty, who manages UCC approvals and MNO integrations on your behalf.

Do USSD codes work on smartphones?

Yes. USSD runs on the GSM signalling channel and works on every handset that supports voice calls, including all Android and iOS smartphones.

Build your USSD service for Uganda with HelloDuty

HelloDuty is a CPaaS provider serving Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and the wider East African market. We provision USSD shortcodes on MTN, Airtel and Lycamobile, host your menu logic, and provide analytics, monitoring and revenue reconciliation. Start your Uganda USSD project with HelloDuty.