The fact that Uganda is a third world country is the reason why Uganda is working harder and harder everyday to improvement the country technology level. And this is why the idea of making Mastercard available for everyone in Uganda was implemented.
Wait, did I just say Mastercard is available for everyone in Uganda? Yes, I did and that's untold truth. How is it possible? It's very easy to get a Mastercard in Uganda than any other country I could ever think of. Because in Uganda you don't need to have a Bank account in order to attain a Mastercard.
Isn't that exciting? I mean why not, when most of the country on Earth in order for one to own a Mastercard, your obligated to first go through the tradition process which is go to the bank and then register to open your bank account.
After that you're bank will give you a Mastercard or any other credit card depending on which financial payment company is in partnership with your bank. It could be a Visa, Mastercard, American express and many other debit card depending on your bank.
Who can get free Mastercard in Uganda?
In Uganda, in order to own Mastercard, you just need to have an Airtel SIM card and a smartphone. That's all.
I believe that at least 80% of Ugandans have Airtel SIM card. The problem comes when you don't have Smartphone and Airtel SIM card.
Wondering why is it so easily to get a Mastercard in Uganda? Wonder no more, because the fact is that Uganda has been a huge part of Mastercard journey for a very long time. Uganda was the first country in Africa to have partnership with Mastercard foundation.
So, you shouldn't be surprised by why Mastercard is like favoring Uganda. Because it was launch in Uganda in 2008 when no any other African country had access to the Mastercard. That's why Mastercard decided to make it available for literally anyone in Uganda as long you have a Airtel SIM card and smartphone, your good to have a prepaid Mastercard.
What does prepaid Mastercard mean?
Prepaid Mastercard means a virtual form of Mastercard which you can have in your phone but no physically. In other words it's not tangible, it a new technology that doesn't need users to be carrying their Mastercard physically. So, basically it's meant for only online shopping and not usable at stores.
Meaning that you can't go to store and put the items you need in to a cart and expect to pay using your virtual Mastercard. I'm sorry, it doesn't work like that. If you need a Mastercard to use in places like shopping mall then you probably need to get that one from the bank.
Because this one is just prepaid Mastercard which you doesn't have to link with your bank account. It's links with your Airtel mobile money, so it will only be spending the money that you have in your Airtel mobile money account.
What is the limited amount you can spend on Airtel virtual Mastercard?
There no specific amount that is set by Mastercard foundation or Airtel mobile money as the limit of spending. However, according to the Airtel mobile money capacity, it obvious that the limit would be at 5,000,000ugx which is equivalent to $1,300 to $1,400 approximately.
That's why we're referring to a one take purchased. But I think it's quite possible to deposit more money into your Airtel mobile money account after spending the maximum amount on it. Which is 5,000,000ugx if you're purchasing a lot of things online that cost a lot of money.
That's all the simple answer I can give you according to my view on this matter of the spending limitations on prepaid Mastercard in Uganda from Airtel partnership. So, I think it a right time to see what steps are there to take in order to acquire a free Mastercard in Uganda on Airtel line.
Instructions to follow in order to get prepaid Mastercard in Uganda.
Go to you dial pad and fail the following:
1. *185#
2. Option (7)
3. Select option (9) which says Airtel Mastercard
4. Choose option (1) which says get a get a card
5. Type in you Airtel mobile money pin
6. You're will receive the message of you prepaid Mastercard approval, with a link inside it that you'll have to click on to take you the the page where you're get your virtual Mastercard information like the card number, expiry date and CVV including your name too. You can see from the one below.
As you already saw in the screenshot above, that how is how you free Mastercard look like once you follow the instructions given above.
How long is Airtel Mastercard valid?
This is literally one question that bother people sometimes, like who wants to get a Mastercard today and let it expired tomorrow? No one of course, so we need something that can stay for long as possible.
So, for this case prepaid Mastercard in Uganda is valid for only one year, which you could renew if it gets expired. As you can see above there in screenshot I provided.
My Mastercard is bounded to get expired on September 2023 because I created it on exact same date in 2022. That simply means that it's valid for only one year.
In conclusion
Mastercard is available for anyone in Uganda for free as long you have Airtel SIM card and a smartphone. It's easy to use and it's valid for one (1) year.
Please if you have any more questions, make sure you leave them in the comments section below and I'll be glad to help:)
