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Tonyz
6th May 2020, 09:07 PM
I need to get some $$$ to Uganda pronto, these are dear friends and completely honest, whats my best attack? western Union?
verawood
6th May 2020, 09:31 PM
My 2c.

Checkout sites like this, then cross check.

Best way to send money to Uganda from Australia | finder.com.au (https://www.finder.com.au/international-money-transfers/send-money-to-uganda)

Then check with your bank
aldav
6th May 2020, 09:36 PM
I wouldn't have any qualms about Western Union in these circumstances, and it's fast. Not sure if Paypal would be an option.
justonething
6th May 2020, 09:40 PM
I have used xe.com to send money to New Zealand. Not sure its possible to send money to Uganda
Wongo
6th May 2020, 09:58 PM
Just put money in an envelope and post it at the post office.
aldav
6th May 2020, 10:33 PM
Just put money in an envelope and post it at the post office.

What currency would you suggest he sends?
Wongo
6th May 2020, 11:40 PM
What currency would you suggest he sends?

They want USD
China
7th May 2020, 12:13 AM
If you send it in a envelope don't expect it to arrive
LanceC
7th May 2020, 08:53 AM
Am I missing why a simple bank transfer wouldn't work?
BobL
7th May 2020, 10:25 AM
Not Uganda but quite a few of us have heard of a certain Nigerian Prince. :)
Tonyz
7th May 2020, 10:36 AM
If you send it in a envelope don't expect it to arrive

Yup... I sent some music books early Feb via express email, according to Aust Post these are still in Coventry UK since 3 March...they did arrive in Uruguay first though. :rolleyes:
aldav
7th May 2020, 10:55 AM
Am I missing why a simple bank transfer wouldn't work?

You're assuming that the Ugandan banking system is reliable, such an assumption can be a fatal error when dealing with third world countries. If the recipient has a local bank account the process may be a little safer, but we don't know that this is the case. By comparison Western Union is well established in these countries and is fast and reliable. Refugees use Western Union extensively to send money 'back home'.
AndyJ
7th May 2020, 10:59 AM
I got an account with transferwise recently: Transfer Money Online | Send Money Abroad with TransferWise (https://transferwise.com/au) Main reason it is cheaper than most other options.
I don't know if Uganda is on their list though.
redminch
7th May 2020, 05:14 PM
Paypal is good. All you need is an email for you and the recipient.
They charge a fee but so does everyone else.
Almost instant too.
aldav
7th May 2020, 05:44 PM
Paypal is good. All you need is an email for you and the recipient.
They charge a fee but so does everyone else.
Almost instant too.

That's fine if you want to purchase something where the vendor will accept Paypal payment, but if they don't, or you need cash, you then have to have a way of getting the funds out of your Paypal account. You're then back in the banking system. :doh: With Western Union you get cash over the counter.
Tonyz
7th May 2020, 10:09 PM
I got an account with transferwise recently: Transfer Money Online | Send Money Abroad with TransferWise (https://transferwise.com/au) Main reason it is cheaper than most other options.
I don't know if Uganda is on their list though.


thanks everyone for thoughts and advice, after a lot of searching I went with this one, its confused the guys in Mbale as they are used to Western Union but this just appealed to me more. If you think things are difficult and crap here go and try living under conditions stricter than New Zealand but multiplied by being a third world country. Given all that if I didnt have a wife, kids and grandchildren Id live there in a heartbeat. Such a beautiful people.
redminch
8th May 2020, 09:33 AM
Therein one of the reasons why a lot of people do not post anything.!!!!
Wongo
13th May 2020, 04:19 PM
Therein one of the reasons why a lot of people do not post anything.!!!!

OK let me be the first one to say sorry. When I read the title "Sending money to Africa", and knowing Tony for nearly 18 years I thought it was a joke.
ericks2
13th May 2020, 04:48 PM
When my mum and dad were alive i used to send to South Africa via Worldremit...never had any issues.
Tonyz
13th May 2020, 06:58 PM
OK let me be the first one to say sorry. When I read the title "Sending money to Africa", and knowing Tony for nearly 18 years I thought it was a joke.

Man now I do feel old,,,:cool:
q9
13th May 2020, 08:05 PM
Maybe I'm a bit late...

My friend is Ugandan/UK citizen, and regularly sends money to his family via Western Union. Low fees and only practical way to get it there.
Wongo
13th May 2020, 11:08 PM
Man now I do feel old,,,:cool:

Because you are. I hope you weren't silly enough to do what I told you. :D
Tonyz
13th May 2020, 11:15 PM
opps :D
Wongo
13th May 2020, 11:53 PM
Look at our join date. I was young and now I am almost 50. :C:C

:D
woodPixel
14th May 2020, 12:46 AM
What an interesting thread.

A tricky problem.

THIS might be a useful thing to get, for us all - TransferWise account pricing: What are the fees? - TransferWise (https://transferwise.com/au/multi-currency-account/pricing)

Neat for buying things overseas.
Tonyz
14th May 2020, 09:52 AM
After a lot of deep thinking I finally went to TransferWise...:(

this could be just a one off but around 2pm last Thursday sent 3 amounts off to different people, once I had finally got all their living addresses (2 guys live in villages without power, but everybody has cell phones) and bank details, yesterday Wednesday 1 has replied his has come through. Wheres the rest?? TransferWise say all amounts have been transferred into bank accounts...blah blah etc

As I stated this could have been just tough luck on my part, but I wont use them in future, either Western Union (very popular in Uganda) or direct bank transfer...