“I’m tired of scrolling past people making money from UGC while I’m stuck here in Uganda with nothing but a smartphone and Wi-Fi.”
If that thought has ever crossed your mind, you’re not alone. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? Watching creators from abroad post TikToks about landing $500 brand deals while you’re juggling side hustles just to make rent. You’ve got the ideas. The creativity. The drive. But it feels like you’re miles away from the action—and not just geographically.
Here’s the thing no one tells you upfront: making money with UGC (User-Generated Content) in Uganda is absolutely possible—but it doesn’t always look like the dream sold in YouTube thumbnails or Twitter threads. It’s messier, slower, and often way more creative than you’d expect. But it’s also real.
Let’s talk about that.
It starts with shifting the lens. Because UGC isn’t just about brands handing out checks to influencers with perfect lighting and New York accents. At its core, UGC is about trust. It’s about everyday people creating content that feels real, relatable, and human. And guess what? That authenticity—that rawness—is something Ugandan creators bring in spades.
Maybe you’ve already made a few skits with your friends. Or recorded a product review with your Infinix phone, balancing it on a stack of books. You might not have realized it at the time, but that’s UGC. It doesn’t have to be flashy to be valuable. In fact, brands today are leaning away from polished perfection and toward content that feels lived-in, flawed, human.
The barrier, then, isn’t creativity—it’s visibility.
And this is where things get tricky. Because being in Uganda means you’re often left out of global conversations. Platforms might not show your content to the right audiences. Payment gateways get messy. Brand deals rarely slide into your inbox. It’s like shouting in a room full of people who are all facing the other way.
But here’s what no algorithm can fully block: value.
Value in your voice. In your perspective. In the way you talk about a product like it actually matters in real life, not just in some curated flat lay. Ugandan creators have a pulse on community, on hustle, on realness. That’s something brands can’t manufacture in a studio—they need you for that.
So how do you start turning that into income?
It won’t happen overnight. And it probably won’t happen in a perfectly straight line. But it does happen.
Start by understanding what brands actually want. They’re not always looking for huge followings. Sometimes, they just want someone who can make their product feel real in the hands of a regular person. They want someone who can say, “I tried this, and here’s what happened.” That’s it. That’s UGC.
So get scrappy.
Record yourself trying out a free product—soap, lip balm, an app, even local stuff. Don’t wait for a brand to send you something. Create a few short videos, even if they’re rough. Actually—especially if they’re rough. Let them be imperfect. Real. Honest.
Then start pitching.
This is where most people freeze. “But I’m just starting out.” “I don’t have experience.” “I’m in Uganda—will they even reply?”
All valid fears. But here’s the truth: most of us are making it up as we go. You don’t need a polished media kit to get started. A short, kind, confident email or DM goes a long way. Something like:
“Hey! I love your brand and actually use [product]. I made a short video showing how I use it—happy to send it over. If you ever need more content like this, I’d love to help.”
That’s it. No fluff. No begging. Just real.
And yes, some brands won’t reply. Some might ghost you after showing interest. That part stings. But if you can sit with the rejection and still keep creating, that’s when things shift. Because every pitch makes you sharper. Every video makes you better.
Let’s not pretend it’s easy, though.
There will be days when your Wi-Fi is crawling, your phone storage is full, and your motivation is buried under a dozen unanswered emails. There will be moments when you question if it’s even worth it. When the only engagement you get is your cousin’s “🔥🔥” comment on Instagram.
But then, something small shifts. Someone messages to say they liked your video. A brand replies. A creator you admire reposts your reel. And suddenly, it doesn’t feel so far-fetched anymore.
Here’s a secret no one talks about: sometimes being “underdog” is your biggest edge.
You see angles others don’t. You can make a story out of the ordinary. You’re not locked into the influencer aesthetic that feels forced and distant. You’ve got your own flavor, your own vibe—and that matters more than ever right now.
And as for payments? Yes, PayPal fees hurt. Yes, Stripe isn’t friendly to most African countries. But the workaround culture in Uganda is unmatched. Whether it’s a cousin in the UK helping receive payments, or learning how to invoice with Wise, or partnering with a local fintech app—there’s always a way. It’s not smooth. But it’s possible.
The truth? Making money with UGC in Uganda is less about algorithms and more about audacity. The audacity to start with what you’ve got. To pitch before you feel ready. To show up, even if no one’s watching—yet.
And slowly, the path carves out.
One small win at a time.
A $20 gig becomes $100. One client turns into three. Your TikTok starts to gain traction. A marketing manager from a Nairobi agency messages you. You realize your voice—your presence—belongs just as much as anyone else’s in this space.
Because Uganda doesn’t lack talent. Or vision. Or hustle. What we’ve lacked is recognition. And maybe—just maybe—it’s our turn to shift that narrative.
So if you’re reading this with doubt in your chest and fire in your gut, know this:
You’re not behind. You’re not too late. You’re not disqualified.
You’re exactly where you need to be to start. And the next move? That’s yours to make.
