Quick Facts
- Budget-conscious shoppers
- Mobile money users
- Ugandans seeking reliable delivery
- Uganda's e-commerce market is $396-421 million with 15.2 million users and 14.9% annual growth
- Mobile money (MTN MoMo, Airtel Money) is overtaking cash on delivery as preferred payment
- Game Store and PEP have exited Uganda - many online lists are outdated
- Jumia offers best delivery logistics while KiKUU provides cheapest prices with longer shipping times
For reliable general shopping in Uganda, stick with Jumia for logistics and delivery coverage. Use KiKUU for budget items you can wait for, Carrefour for groceries, and Odukar for authentic mobile accessories with same-day Kampala delivery.
Let’s be honest: finding a reliable online store in Uganda isn’t just about clicking “buy.” It’s about knowing who actually has stock, who will pick up the phone when the delivery guy gets lost in Nansana, and who hasn’t quietly exited the market while their website stays up.
The last few years have been brutal for retail in East Africa. We’ve seen giants like Game Store and PEP pack up and leave. But while the big box stores struggled, a new wave of resilient, mobile first platforms has taken root. The market isn’t just growing; it’s getting smarter.
The Reality of E-Commerce in Uganda (December 2025)
Forget the inflated numbers you see in old reports. We looked at the real data as of December 2025. The market volume is now sitting between US$396 million and US$421 million. It didn’t hit the massive $657 million predicted years ago, but it is healthier and more realistic, growing at a steady 14.90% annually.
Why this matters to you:
- More Users, Lower Bills: There are now 15.2 million eCommerce users in Uganda. However, the average spend per user (ARPU) has dropped to ~$24.69. This means people are buying affordable essentials, not luxury goods.
- Mobile Money is King: With smartphone ownership hitting 19 million devices in late 2025, cash on delivery is slowly fighting a losing battle against MTN MoMo and Airtel Money.
The Survivors: Best Online Shopping Sites in Uganda
We’ve scrubbed the list. We removed the stores that have closed down (RIP Game and PEP) to give you the platforms that are actually operational right now.
1. Jumia Uganda
Jumia remains the “Amazon of Africa,” but they have tightened their belt. As of late 2025, they have consolidated operations to 9 core African markets, and thankfully, Uganda is still one of them. They are fully operational and remain the safest bet for general goods.
The Practitioner’s Tip: Use Jumia for logistics. Their delivery network into areas like Entebbe or Kampala suburbs is superior to almost anyone else. They cover everything from electronics to groceries.
2. KiKUU
If you have patience, KiKUU is the budget king. Operating primarily as a cross border app, it connects Ugandan shoppers directly with Chinese manufacturers. They are still going strong in Dec 2025 with over 200,000 active shoppers in the country.
- The Trade-off: You get incredibly low prices because you cut out the middleman, but you wait for shipping.
- Best For: Fashion, small gadgets, and items you don’t need today.
3. Carrefour (Majid Al Futtaim)
While other international retailers fled, Carrefour stayed and expanded. Operated by Majid Al Futtaim, they now run 8 locations across Uganda, including Oasis Mall, Metroplex Naalya, and the Arena Mall.
Their online offering is solid for groceries and household goods. If you are looking for a reliable supermarket delivery that won’t swap your brand name items for cheap knock offs, this is your spot.
4. Odukar Store
Odukar is the local underdog that punches above its weight. They specialize in authentic mobile accessoriesa category plagued by fakes in downtown Kampala. As of December 2025, they are keeping prices grounded:
- Oraimo Watch 6 Nano: ~80,000 UGX
- SpaceBox 8W Speaker: ~80,000 UGX
If you need a charger or a smartwatch and only have 100k UGX in your mobile wallet, Odukar is the go-to. They offer same day delivery in Kampala, which beats waiting for international shipping.
5. Klassy
Klassy occupies the niche for UK sourced fashion. In a market flooded with second-hand clothes (mivumba), Klassy offers a middle ground: new, quality clothing from the international market at a single price point. They simplify the chaos of fashion shopping by handling the importation headache for you.
The “Graveyard”: Stores That Left Uganda
Many “Top 10” lists on Google are outdated. To save you time, here is who is NO LONGER operating in Uganda as of late 2025:
- Game Store: The Massmart owned giant exited in October 2022. The Lugogo Mall outlet is gone.
- PEP: Closed all Ugandan stores back in December 2020.
- Akatalefresh & Masikini: Both are currently inactive or have websites listed for sale.
How to Pay: The Mobile Money Revolution
You don’t need a bank account to shop online in Uganda anymore. The ecosystem has matured significantly.
MTN Mobile Money & Airtel Money are now fully integrated into almost every serious eCommerce site via gateways like Flutterwave and Pegasus. But the real game changer in 2025 is the Virtual Card.
MTN Uganda launched a Mastercard powered virtual card that allows you to pay on international sites (like international platforms or Netflix) directly from your MoMo balance. Airtel has also rolled out advanced fraud prevention APIs in March 2025, making digital payments safer than ever.
Shopping in Uganda has moved from “Is this possible?” to “How fast can I get it?” Stick to the survivors listed above, keep your mobile money loaded, and you’ll avoid the headaches of the past.
