How to reset your MTN MoMo PIN in Uganda — the verified path

To reset your MTN MoMo PIN in Uganda, three paths exist: *165# option 7 from your MTN number (fastest), call 100 (free from MTN), or visit an MTN service centre with your national ID. It is free, no SIM swap, and the old PIN is replaced immediately.

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✓ Verified June 2026.MTN/Airtel Uganda USSD codes and procedures verified against official sources. No tariffs are quoted on this page.

Method 1 — USSD reset (the fastest)

Dial *165# on your MTN phone (the number tied to the wallet).
Select option 7 (My Account).
Choose 'Reset PIN' in the submenu.
The system asks for your registered date of birth (DDMMYY) or another security identifier.
Once verified, set your new 4-digit PIN and confirm it.
You receive a confirmation SMS. The new PIN is active immediately.

Method 2 — Call 100 (MTN customer care)

If the USSD method fails (total loss of the security identifier, account locked after multiple attempts), dial 100 from your MTN number — free. The agent will ask for: your phone number, the full registered name on the wallet, your national ID, and a recent transaction detail (date, amount, recipient of a recent send). After verification, the agent resets the PIN remotely; you receive an SMS with a temporary PIN that you change immediately via *165# option 7.

Method 3 — MTN service centre with national ID

For complex cases (number change, loss of multiple identifiers, business account with multiple signatories), visit an MTN service centre — every regional capital has one (Kampala, Mbarara, Gulu, Mbale, Arua, Fort Portal, Jinja). Present your Ndaga Muntu (Uganda national ID) or Ugandan passport. The agent verifies identity, updates the profile if needed, and resets the PIN on the spot — expect 10 to 20 minutes depending on the queue.

New PIN security — best practices

Avoid obvious PINs: 1234, 0000, your birth year, the last four digits of your phone number.
Never share the PIN with anyone — not a relative, not an MTN agent, not a caller pretending to be 'customer care' (real 100 NEVER asks for the PIN).
Change the PIN every 6-12 months, or immediately if you let someone else use your phone.
If you lost the phone, call 100 immediately to lock the wallet before someone requests a new PIN.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the PIN reset take?

Via *165# option 7 it is instant — you enter your date of birth or another security identifier, then the system asks you to set a new 4-digit PIN. At a branch, expect 10-20 minutes depending on the queue. By phone via 100, identity verification usually takes 5-10 minutes.

What if I have forgotten the registered date of birth?

If the USSD menu asks for a security identifier you do not recognise, it is most likely the date of birth provided at initial registration. If that fails, the menu sends you to 100 or to a branch. At the branch, present your national ID (Ndaga Muntu): MTN updates the profile and resets the PIN on the spot.

Is my account locked after multiple wrong PINs?

Yes. After three wrong PIN attempts, MTN MoMo temporarily locks the wallet (usually 15-30 minutes). After five attempts, the lock is longer and you must reset via *165# option 7 or contact customer care. While locked, you cannot send, withdraw, or pay; receiving still works.

Is there a fee for resetting the PIN?

No. PIN reset is free on all three channels (USSD, call 100, branch). If someone asks for money, it is fraud — MTN never charges for this operation.

Do I need a SIM swap to reset the PIN?

No. SIM swap (SIM card replacement) is a separate operation, only needed if you lost your SIM or it is damaged. PIN reset is done on your existing SIM.

What about Airtel Money?

For Airtel Money Uganda, dial *185# then option 5 (Profile) > Reset PIN, or call 100 (free from Airtel). The process is analogous: identity verification by date of birth or last transaction details, then a new 4-digit PIN.