Motorists using the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway can now pay toll fees through mobile money, following the launch of a cashless payment option at designated toll lanes.
The service was launched on Friday through a partnership involving the Ministry of Works and Transport, Kampala-Entebbe Expressway management and MTN Mobile Money.
It is currently available at Lane 4 and Lane 5 at all three toll plazas along the expressway — Busega, Mpala and Kajjansi.
The new option is intended to reduce reliance on cash and make toll payments faster for motorists using the 51.4-kilometre expressway connecting Kampala to Entebbe International Airport.
How it works
Motorists using the designated lanes provide their mobile phone number to the toll attendant.
A Mobile Money payment prompt is then sent to the customer’s phone. The motorist checks the transaction details and authorises the payment by entering their Mobile Money PIN.
Once the payment is confirmed, the toll gate opens, and the motorist continues the journey.
MTN Uganda says the system is designed to provide near-instant confirmation, allowing transactions to be completed within seconds.
The company already supports Mobile Money payments for a range of goods and services, with customers authorising transactions through their PINs.
Ivan Katamba, Road Manager at Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, said the new system addresses a long-standing inconvenience for road users.
“This solves a long-standing pain point for road users and makes toll payments more convenient,” Katamba said.
The introduction of mobile money adds another payment option for motorists who previously relied on cash and other payment methods at the toll plazas.
Toward fully cashless tolling
MTN Mobile Money Chief Product Officer Jemima Kariuki said the initiative extends the use of digital payments beyond conventional transactions into everyday services.
She said technology becomes valuable when it makes routine activities faster and more convenient for users.
“Today, we’re extending the convenience of MoMo from payments and transfers to how Ugandans move,” Kariuki said.
Eng. Joan Alinda, Project Manager at Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to improve services for road users.
She said investments were also being made in areas including road safety, emergency response and customer convenience.
Alinda described the mobile-money option as another step towards a fully automated toll collection system.
Customer support
Motorists experiencing difficulties with the service can seek assistance through the toll system’s customer support channels.
The support contacts provided at the launch are 0800 270 170 and WhatsApp 0762 262 163.
Allan Ssempebwa Kyobe, a Senior Communications Officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, said a second phase will further expand cashless payment options and make toll collection more seamless.
Motorists are advised to verify the payment details displayed on their phones before entering their Mobile Money PIN. MTN’s terms require customers to authorise debit transactions using their PIN and provide for transaction confirmation through SMS.
The launch adds the expressway to the growing number of public and commercial services in Uganda using digital payments.
For motorists travelling between Kampala and Entebbe, the immediate change is at the toll booth: instead of preparing cash, users in the designated lanes can provide a mobile number, approve the payment on their phones and proceed once the transaction is confirmed.