How to make your first purchase
From finding something you like to paying and waiting for delivery — every screen explained.
Buying for the first time
The first time you buy on KampalaSnap, it can feel like a lot of screens. This guide walks through every one of them so you know what to tap, what to expect, and what each button actually does.
You'll need an account to buy. If you haven't made one, read How to sign up and verify your phone first.
Step 1 — Find something you want
Open the app. The main screen is a video feed. Swipe up to see the next one. Tap on the video to pause it. Tap on the seller's name or logo (top-left of the video) to visit their shop.
You can also:
- Tap the magnifying-glass icon at the bottom to search by keyword.
- Tap the grid icon to see product photos instead of videos.
- Tap any hashtag (#dresses, #electronics, etc.) on a video to see more like it.
When you find something you like:
- Tap the heart to save it for later.
- Tap View product to see the full details (price, sizes, delivery, reviews).
Step 2 — Read the product page carefully
A product page shows you:
- Photos and videos — swipe left/right to see more angles.
- The price in UGX. If the seller is running a sale, the original price is crossed out and the sale price is shown next to it.
- The seller's name with their verification check ✓ if they're verified.
- A short description of the item.
- Reviews from people who bought it before.
- The "Buy" and "Add to cart" buttons at the bottom.
Things to look for before tapping Buy:
- Does the seller show their verification check? Verified sellers have completed an extra step that makes them more trustworthy.
- How many reviews does the shop have? A shop with hundreds of reviews has a track record.
- Does the description list a size, weight, or material? If you need a specific one and the seller doesn't say, message them on WhatsApp first (the WhatsApp button is on the seller's profile).
- Is the seller in vacation mode? You'll see a pill that says "On break — back on [date]." During vacation mode you can't buy from them but you can still follow them.
Step 3 — Pick "Add to cart" or "Buy now"
Add to cart saves the item to your cart so you can buy it later or add more things from other shops first. You can mix items from many shops in one cart — at checkout we'll group them by seller and create one order per seller.
Buy now skips the cart and takes you straight to checkout for just that one item.
If you're not sure, pick Add to cart. You can review everything in the cart screen before paying.
Step 4 — Open the cart
Tap the cart icon at the top of the screen (it shows a small badge with how many items you have).
In the cart you can:
- See each item with its photo, name, price, and quantity.
- Tap the + or − buttons to change the quantity.
- Swipe an item left to remove it.
- See the subtotal at the bottom (this doesn't include delivery yet).
- Tap Checkout when you're ready.
If a seller put one of your items on sale or changed the price while the item was sitting in your cart, the cart screen will show a small notice. You can still buy at the new price — or remove the item if you don't like it.
Step 5 — Pick a delivery address
If this is your first purchase, the app asks you to add an address. Type:
- Recipient name — whose name should be on the parcel.
- Phone for the rider — usually the same as your account number.
- District + town — pick from the dropdown.
- Landmark or street — the more specific, the better. "Bukoto, near the new church next to Total filling station" is much better than just "Bukoto."
The landmark text is for the rider only. It's not shown on your public profile.
Tap Save address and pick it. You can save multiple addresses for later (home, work, your auntie's place).
Step 6 — Pick a delivery option
The seller chooses what's available, so you'll see one or more of:
- Standard delivery — the seller arranges a rider. You usually pay a delivery fee in addition to the item price.
- Pickup — you go to the seller's location and collect it. There's no delivery fee.
- Free delivery — included in the item price for some sellers.
The fee for each option is shown next to it. Pick whichever fits you.
Step 7 — Review and pay
The next screen shows you the full total:
- Item price(s)
- Delivery fee
- Total to pay in UGX
Tap Pay. You'll be taken to Pesapal, our payment partner. There you can pay with:
- MTN Mobile Money
- Airtel Money
- Visa or Mastercard (debit or credit)
Follow the instructions on the Pesapal screen. You usually:
- Enter your MoMo number.
- Approve the prompt on your phone.
- Wait for the success message.
Tip: keep the Pesapal page open until you see the "Payment received" message. Closing it too early can leave the order in a "pending" state and you'll have to try again.
After Pesapal confirms, the app drops you on the order screen and sends you the Delivery PIN by WhatsApp or SMS.
Step 8 — Wait for delivery
The seller now knows you've paid. They get your address and the rider contact. They prepare your item and either drop it themselves or hand it to a rider.
You can:
- Track the order under Account → My Orders.
- Chat with the seller on WhatsApp (button on the order page).
- Cancel before they ship if they haven't moved yet (full refund).
Step 9 — Use your Delivery PIN
When your item arrives:
- Look at it. Open the package if you can. Check the item is what you ordered, the right size, the right colour, undamaged.
- If everything is good — give the rider your 4-digit Delivery PIN, OR open the app, go to the order, and type the PIN yourself. This tells us "yes, I got it." The seller is paid shortly after.
- If anything is wrong — DO NOT give the PIN. Keep it. Open the app, find the order, and tap Open a dispute. See the disputes guide.
Important: giving the PIN means the deal is done. After that, your options for getting a refund go through the dispute system, which is slower and harder. So don't rush.
Step 10 — Leave a review
A few days after the order is complete, the app prompts you to leave a review. It's optional, but it helps:
- Other buyers know which sellers are good.
- Sellers improve based on real feedback.
- Good sellers get featured more.
Even just tapping a star rating without writing anything is enough.
Common questions
I paid but the app says "Pending payment."
This usually means Pesapal didn't confirm yet. Wait 2-3 minutes and refresh. If it still says pending after 10 minutes, the payment didn't go through and your money will be returned automatically. You can try again.
If you see the money left your MoMo but the app still says "Pending," email support@kampalasnap.com with your order number. We'll check with Pesapal.
The seller is asking me for the PIN before delivery. Should I give it?
No. The Delivery PIN is only for the moment your item is in your hands and you're happy with it. A seller who asks for the PIN early is trying to get paid before delivering, which is exactly what the PIN is designed to prevent.
If a seller pressures you, tell them you'll give the PIN when the item arrives and not before. If they keep pushing, report them.
I changed my mind. Can I cancel?
Yes — as long as the seller hasn't shipped yet. Open the order and tap Cancel order. You'll get a full refund to the same MoMo or card you paid with. Refunds usually arrive within 24-48 hours.
After the seller ships, you can't cancel — but you can still open a dispute if the item is wrong when it arrives.
The price changed between when I added to cart and when I checked out.
Cart prices are not locked. The price you pay is the price at checkout. If a seller bumped a price while your item was in your cart, you'll see a small "Price updated" notice at checkout. You can remove the item if you don't agree.
What about delivery to other districts?
Most sellers deliver inside Kampala. Some deliver to other districts for a higher fee. A few ship by bus park to anywhere in Uganda.
The delivery options shown at checkout are the ones the seller offers for your specific address. If you don't see what you need, message the seller before paying — they may have an off-app arrangement.