Yes, you can send across networks now
For years, sending mobile money from MTN to Airtel in Uganda meant the receiver had to physically withdraw and re-deposit โ slow and expensive. That changed with mobile money interoperability: MTN MoMo, Airtel Money and other networks are now connected, so you can send money directly from one network's wallet to another's, wallet to wallet, in real time. With over 35 million mobile money accounts registered in Uganda, this is one of the most-searched everyday questions โ and the process is genuinely simple once you know the menu path.
How to send money from MTN MoMo to Airtel Money
The fastest way is the USSD menu, which works on any phone โ no smartphone or app needed:
- Dial *165# on your MTN line and press OK/Send.
- Select 1. Send Money.
- Choose the "Mobile User" (or "Other Networks") option.
- Enter the Airtel number you want to send to.
- Enter the amount.
- Enter a reason for the transaction if prompted.
- Confirm with your mobile money PIN.
The money arrives in the Airtel Money wallet within seconds. You can also do the same thing through the MyMTN MoMo app โ log in with your number and PIN, choose Send Money, and enter the Airtel number.
How to send money from Airtel Money to MTN MoMo
The reverse works the same way from an Airtel line:
- Dial *185# on your Airtel line and press OK.
- Select Send Money.
- Choose to send to another network / other mobile user.
- Enter the MTN number, the amount, and a reason if asked.
- Confirm with your Airtel Money PIN.
Airtel Money confirms that you can send to people on any network within Uganda โ MTN, Africell and others โ directly from your wallet.
Tip: double-check the recipient's number before confirming. Cross-network transfers are instant and, like all mobile money, very hard to reverse once sent to the wrong number.
What it costs and how long it takes
Cross-network transfers are charged a sending fee based on the amount (see our companion guide on MTN and Airtel transfer & withdrawal fees for the current bands). Transfers are real-time โ the recipient gets the money within seconds and can withdraw it at any agent on their own network. Account limits apply: on MTN, the minimum transaction is UGX 500 and the maximum is UGX 5,000,000 per transaction.
Common problems and fixes
- "Transaction failed" โ usually the recipient number was mistyped or their wallet has a limit issue. Re-check the number and try again.
- Money not received โ interoperable transfers are instant; if it shows as sent but not received, note the transaction ID from the SMS and call your provider (MTN 100, Airtel 100).
- Can't find the "other network" option โ make sure your MoMo/Airtel Money is registered and active; unregistered SIMs can't send.
Paying many people across both networks? If you are paying staff, riders, agents or casual workers who are split between MTN and Airtel, sending one at a time is slow. Basket Payroll's Quick Pay lets you load one list and pay everyone โ MTN and Airtel โ in a single batch, with a record kept for each payment. See how Quick Pay works โ
๐ฌ Need to pay workers across MTN and Airtel?
Basket Advisory helps businesses, SACCOs and NGOs in Uganda run bulk mobile money payouts across all networks โ with records, deductions and scheduling built in.
Menu paths (*165# for MTN, *185# for Airtel) and option labels can change as providers update their systems. If a menu option differs, follow the on-screen prompts or call your provider. General guidance for Uganda, 2026.