Safety centre
Most people on Sooka are honest. These habits protect you from the few who aren't.
The golden rules
- Never send money before you have seen the item in person. No deposits, transport fees or "commitment fees" by Mobile Money.
- Meet in a busy public place during the day, and bring a friend if you can.
- Check the item carefully before you pay, and get a receipt or sale agreement for valuable items.
- Keep the conversation on Sooka chat when you can: it helps us investigate if something goes wrong.
- Never share your SMS login code, Mobile Money PIN or bank details with anyone.
Common scams in Uganda
- "I'm upcountry, send transport money first": the seller is never real.
- Fake land titles or a plot sold to several buyers: always do a search at the Ministry of Lands or zonal office.
- Jobs that ask for a fee for registration, training, medical checks or uniforms.
- Overpayment: a "buyer" sends too much money and asks you to refund the difference. The first payment is reversed later.
- Fake Mobile Money messages saying you've been paid. Always check your actual balance by dialling your network's code.
Land and houses
- Never pay a deposit or “viewing fee” before seeing the property.
- For land, do a title search at the Ministry of Lands / MZO before paying anything.
- Visit the plot with the LC1 chairperson and neighbours to confirm the owner.
- Use a lawyer for sale agreements and transfers.
Cars and boda bodas
- Inspect the vehicle in daylight and take it for a test drive.
- Check the logbook matches the seller's ID and the chassis number.
- Verify the vehicle's status with URA before paying.
- Pay through a bank or Mobile Money, never in a car park with cash.
Phones and electronics
- Test the phone or device fully before you pay: calls, camera, charging.
- Check the IMEI (dial *#06#) matches the box and is not reported stolen.
- Make sure iCloud / Google account is signed out on phones.
- Never send money before you have seen the item in person.
Jobs
- Real employers never ask you to pay for a job, training or “registration”.
- Research the company and meet at their official office.
- Never hand over your original documents.
- Never send money before you have seen the item in person.
If something goes wrong
- Report the ad or the person on Sooka: use "Report this ad" on the ad page, or "Report" in the chat menu. Our team reviews every report.
- If you have been defrauded, report it at your nearest police station. In an emergency call 999 or 112.
- Read our posting rules to see what isn't allowed on Sooka.