Uganda mobile money USSD codes — MTN MoMo, Airtel Money, Wave
Every Uganda mobile money USSD code in one place: MTN MoMo *165#, Airtel Money *185#, and the deep paths for balance, send, withdraw, merchant pay and loan. Verified June 2026 against official operator sources.
What is the MoMo USSD code in Uganda?
In Uganda, MTN MoMo uses *165# and Airtel Money uses *185#. Dial them from the matching SIM to check balance, send, withdraw or pay a merchant — no internet needed. Deep paths: send *165*1# (MTN) or *185*1# (Airtel), balance *185*10# (Airtel). Menu access is free. Verified June 2026.
MTN MoMo Uganda — *165#
| Action | USSD code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main menu | *165# | Every option from here |
| Send money | *165*1# | To MTN/Airtel/Wave |
| Pay merchant (MoMo Pay) | *165*3# | No fee, no tax |
| Bank services | *165*4# | Wallet to bank |
| Mini-statement | *165*8*4# | Mini or full |
| MoPesa (instant loan) | *165*45# | Instant approval and credit |
| Check balance | *165# → 6 | My Account menu → Balance |
| Change PIN | *165# → 9 | My Account → Change PIN |
Source: mtn.co.ug + MTN Uganda X account. Verified June 2026.
Airtel Money Uganda — *185#
| Action | USSD code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main menu | *185# | Airtel Money menu access |
| Send money | *185*1# | To any network (interop.) |
| Withdraw cash (generates a code) | *185# → 2 | 4-digit code to show the agent |
| Check balance | *185*10# | Free, instant |
| Buy airtime | *185# → 4 | Self or other number |
Source: airtel.co.ug/airtelmoney + Airtel Money Uganda X account. Verified June 2026.
Wave Uganda — use the app
Wave Uganda mainly works through its mobile app (iOS + Android), not USSD. For Wave operations, download the app from the App Store or Google Play, create the account with your UG number, and access all functions: send, withdraw, merchant pay, balance check.
Steps: use MoMo over USSD in Uganda
- Dial the USSD code — On MTN: *165#. On Airtel: *185#. No mobile data required — works on smartphone, feature phone and basic phone.
- Pick the operation from the menu — Pick Send Money, Withdraw, Pay Merchant, My Account or Buy Airtime depending on the menu shown.
- Enter the details — Recipient number, amount, reason. For an Airtel withdrawal, the menu generates a 4-digit code to show the agent.
- Confirm with the MoMo PIN — Enter your 4-digit PIN to confirm. A confirmation SMS arrives within seconds — keep it as your receipt.
The sequence (dial → pick → enter → PIN) is identical on MTN and Airtel — only the initial code differs.