Mobile money agents run out of cash, pilgrims stranded

A mobile money agent at Namugongo

Hundreds of pilgrims got stranded at Namugongo Martyrs shrine in Wakiso District after mobile money agents ran out of cash.

At least 20 mobile money outlets visited by this reporter indicated that several of their clients had been turned away after the operators told them they could not dispense cash.

A mobile money operator in Namugongo, says that he turned away several customers due to lack of funds.

“Many people are coming and bouncing. They kept their money on their mobile phones but it’s unfortunate that even network has been too poor since morning. I can only send money but withdrawing is hard because I don’t have hard cash,” Mugoya said.

One Sarah Nassuna, another mobile money operator around the catholic shrine, says they have sold out all Airtime scratch cards.

“Like you are seeing, I am very tired. I have been here since yesterday. We sold throughout the night and now I don’t have cash to give out to people. Many are coming here but we have nothing to do. Suppliers did not come today,” Nassuna said.

The pilgrims were equally affected. Christine Anyatcho, from Tororo, says that she moved to more than four outlets and there was no money because of network problem.

“I think its network because I have been moving all around but I am not yet successful. I want money for transport so I don’t know how to manage without transport here when the network is down,” Anyatcho said.