The Bank of Uganda has announced a four-day suspension of its Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and Automated Clearing House (ACH) services, effective from 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, until 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026. This move is intended to facilitate a planned upgrade to strengthen the country's payments infrastructure and support regional financial integration. The suspension will impact the processing of high-value and time-sensitive interbank transfers, bulk electronic payments, cheque clearing, and direct debits.
The RTGS system is primarily used for high-value and time-critical payments between financial institutions, while the ACH handles bulk electronic fund transfers, cheque clearing, and direct debit transactions. The temporary closure of these systems will affect banks and other financial institutions' ability to process transactions during the specified period. As a result, large business transactions, interbank settlements, and urgent payments involving government agencies and corporate customers may be delayed.
The upgrade is part of the Bank of Uganda's efforts to improve the efficiency, reliability, resilience, and interoperability of Uganda's national payments infrastructure in line with international standards. The exercise also supports the implementation of the East African Community (EAC) Cross-Border Payment System Masterplan. This masterplan was approved by the governors of the region's central banks to facilitate seamless, secure, and efficient payment flows across EAC Partner States.
The temporary shutdown of RTGS and ACH services will have implications for businesses and individuals who rely on bank transfers for urgent payments. Businesses may experience delays in settling suppliers, receiving payments from clients, or meeting financial obligations that fall due during the closure. Individuals expecting money through bank transfers or with scheduled payments may also face delays, depending on the payment channel used.
However, not all banking services will be suspended. Mobile banking, mobile money, card payments, and cash services are not among the affected systems. The Bank of Uganda has advised financial institutions, government entities, businesses, and individuals to make arrangements in advance and process time-sensitive payments before the closure begins.
Customers requiring guidance on transaction-specific arrangements, including available alternative payment channels, are advised to contact their respective financial institutions. The Bank of Uganda will provide updates where necessary and issue another public notice once the upgraded services have been successfully restored.
The four-day suspension of RTGS and ACH services is a proactive measure to ensure the stability and efficiency of Uganda's payments infrastructure in the long run. The upgrade is expected to bring benefits to the country's financial sector, including enhanced security, faster transaction processing, and improved interoperability with regional payment systems.
Key points
- The Bank of Uganda will suspend RTGS and ACH services from November 5 to November 9, 2026, for a planned upgrade.
- The suspension will impact high-value and time-sensitive interbank transfers, bulk electronic payments, cheque clearing, and direct debits.
- The upgrade aims to improve the efficiency, reliability, and interoperability of Uganda's national payments infrastructure.
