KIU Business Desk: Bankers Association Launches "˜No Merchant Surcharge"â„c Campaign

By Stephen Wandera

KIU, Main Campus câ¬â€œ The Uganda Banker's Association (UBA) has launched the câ¬ËœNo Merchant Surchargecâ¬â„c Campaign dubbed "Pay with your card at No extra cost". 

While speaking at a press briefing on July 28, the UBA Executive Director, Wilbrod Owori, said this was in adherence to a Bank of Uganda directive that prohibits merchant surcharging at Points of Sale (POS) terminals and fixing of minimum or maximum transaction amounts on electronic payment cards.  

"Through this campaign, UBA will educate consumers on the No Surcharge Rule where cardholders shouldn't be compelled to pay additional fees for using their payment cards of choice instead of cash at a point of sale like supermarkets, bars, restaurants and fuel stations,c⬝ Owori said.

Some businesspeople this reporter talked to welcomed this development. 

Christine Auma, a businesswoman in Kampala cited the advancement of technology all over the world and the need for Uganda to follow suit as the biggest stimulant for financial service providers to make transactions affordable.

câ¬Å“Uganda cannot be isolated from the rest of the world in this digital era and this development is a great opportunity in avoiding the effects of carrying or receiving hard cash," Auma said.