Ugandan Shilling · USh · Official currency of Uganda
The Ugandan shilling (USh) was introduced in 1966, replacing the East African shilling. Due to its large face value, notes in the thousands are commonly used even for small transactions.
Six denominations circulate: USh1,000, USh2,000, USh5,000, USh10,000, USh20,000, and USh50,000, featuring Uganda's natural and cultural heritage.
Face values are large enough that it's easy to get confused, so it's worth double-checking the amount before paying. Outside major cities, card payments are rarely accepted, so it's important to carry enough cash. Exchanging at a bank or licensed money changer in central Kampala usually gets a better rate than at the airport.
You can view the real banknote designs on the Bank of Uganda's official page.
See Ugandan Shilling banknotes at today's exchange rate →