How to sign up and verify your phone
Step-by-step — pick a username, get a one-time code on WhatsApp or SMS, and finish.
Signing up takes about 2 minutes
You can use KampalaSnap without signing up — to watch videos and look around. But to buy things, follow shops, or post reviews, you need an account.
There are two ways to make one:
- Phone signup — best if you mostly use WhatsApp.
- Google or Apple sign-in — fastest if your phone is already signed into Google or Apple.
This guide covers the phone signup because it's the most common one in Uganda. The Google/Apple path is one tap and the app walks you through it.
What you'll need
- A phone number (Ugandan numbers preferred — that's where your Delivery PIN will be sent).
- A username you'll remember.
- A password (only if you choose phone signup — Google/Apple users don't set a password).
That's it. No ID, no documents.
The steps
Step 1 — Tap "Sign up"
Open the app. The first screen has two big buttons: "Sign in" and "Sign up." Tap Sign up.
If you only see "Sign in," scroll down — there's a smaller "Create account" link at the bottom.
Step 2 — Choose a username
Pick something short and easy to remember. Letters and numbers are fine; spaces are not. Examples that work:
denis_klamama_aliceboutique22
If the name you want is taken, the app will tell you and suggest a few that are free. Pick one — you can change other things later, but the username sticks.
Step 3 — Enter your phone number
Type your Ugandan number, with or without the country code. The app adds +256 for you if you forget.
Why we need it: your Delivery PIN goes to this number, the seller can message you on WhatsApp about your order, and we use it to send price/dispatch updates. We never show it on your public profile.
Step 4 — Pick a password
Choose something you'll remember but that's not too easy. The app warns you if it's too short.
Tip: write it down somewhere safe. There's no "Forgot password" magic if you also lose your phone.
Step 5 — Tap "Sign up" and wait for the code
Tap Sign up. A 6-digit code is sent to your phone.
Where the code arrives:
- If your number is on WhatsApp, the code comes as a WhatsApp message. Look for a message from "KampalaSnap" (or our verification bot, "Meta").
- If your number is not on WhatsApp, the code comes as an SMS.
If you don't see it within 30 seconds:
- Check your spam/promotions on WhatsApp.
- Pull down the notification shade.
- Tap Resend code in the app (you can resend after 30 seconds).
Step 6 — Type the code in the app
Type the 6 digits exactly as you got them. They are only good for 10 minutes, so don't wait. If you wait too long, just tap Resend code and try again.
Step 7 — You're in 🟡
The app drops you on the home feed. You can start watching videos, following shops, and adding items to your cart right away.
Adding a delivery address
You don't need an address to make an account. You only need one when you buy something for the first time, and the checkout flow asks for it then. The app saves your address so you don't have to type it again next time.
You can save more than one address (home, work, your auntie's place) and pick the right one at checkout.
Common questions
Why did I get the code by SMS instead of WhatsApp?
Some phone networks don't show numbers as "on WhatsApp" right away. If that happens, we fall back to SMS automatically. The code works exactly the same way. You can still buy and chat with sellers, but sellers won't be able to message you on WhatsApp until you add WhatsApp to that number.
If you want to switch to WhatsApp later, just install WhatsApp on the same number and message a friend once. After that, KampalaSnap will use WhatsApp the next time you need a code.
I lost the code. What now?
Tap Resend code in the app. The old code stops working as soon as a new one is sent. You can resend up to 5 times per hour.
I typed the wrong code 5 times.
Wait a few minutes and try again. If it still won't let you in, email support@kampalasnap.com with your username and we'll unlock it.
My phone number is in another country.
You can sign up with any country code, but most sellers will only ship inside Uganda. International orders are possible but rare. Sellers will say so on their shop page if they ship internationally.
Can I have more than one account?
You can, but you have to use a different phone number for each. Trying to make two accounts on the same number doesn't work — the second one will conflict with the first.