1. Terms of use
Fortiemart 360 is an online marketplace run by Fortiemart Holdings Company Limited, Uganda. It connects buyers with sellers of goods and services. The seller, not Fortiemart, sells each item.
Who we are
Fortiemart Holdings Company Limited, offices at Kanjokya House, Level 4, Kanjokya Street, Kampala, and Kagote, Fort Portal. Email info@fortiemart.com. Phone +256 709 793 055 or +256 753 180 015.
Your account
- Give true details and keep your password private. You are responsible for what happens on your account.
- You must be 18 or older to open a shop. Buyers under 18 need a parent or guardian to agree, and cannot buy age-restricted items such as wine.
- One person may run several shops from one account. Each shop is a separate business on Fortiemart.
The pilot
The pilot runs until 14 December 2026. Buyers join free. A shop gets 14 days free, then pays a one-time pilot fee of UGX 30,000 to Fortiemart's own merchant code, which covers the shop until the pilot ends. There is no commission on sales during the pilot. Fortiemart confirms each payment and issues a receipt. A shop that has not paid after its free days is hidden from buyers, never deleted, until it pays. Identity and registration checks (KYC) are optional during the pilot. When the pilot ends, every shop keeps its data, gets a free month and must complete KYC (National ID, URSB registration and URA TIN, or their equivalents abroad) to stay live. We will tell you at least 14 days before the pilot ends.
What Fortiemart does and does not do
- We provide the marketplace, chat, order records, notifications and tools. We check sellers when the pilot ends and remove listings and accounts that break these rules.
- Buyers pay sellers directly. Fortiemart does not hold the money and is not a party to the sale. The contract for each order is between the buyer and the seller.
- We do our best to keep the service running, but cannot promise it will never be interrupted. We keep backups of the data, as described in the privacy notice.
Acceptable use
Do not use Fortiemart to cheat, threaten or harass anyone, to send spam, to copy other people's photos or brands, to move people off the platform to avoid these rules, or to break any Ugandan law. We may hide content, suspend or close an account that does, and we report crime to the police when the law requires it.
Changes and law
We may update these policies. The version date is at the bottom of this page, and we notify members about important changes. Ugandan law governs these terms, including the Electronic Transactions Act, 2011 and the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019. Nothing in these terms removes a right the law gives you.
2. Seller rules
Sell honestly, describe products accurately, answer buyers, and deliver what you promised.
Your shop page must show
The Electronic Transactions Act, 2011 (section 24) requires online sellers to show buyers who they are and the terms of sale. Your shop page therefore shows:
- Your business name, town and address, and a phone number.
- Your registration number and legal status once verified (URSB in Uganda).
- The full price, including any delivery fee you charge, before the buyer orders.
- How buyers can pay you, your delivery times, and this returns policy.
Listings
- List only goods and services you have, or can supply within the time you state. Use real photos.
- Use the standard units (kilogram, 50 kg bag, litre and so on) and say the grade and quality honestly. Farm and food sellers should add the quality details described in section 8.
- Do not list anything in section 3. Our system blocks some items automatically; we review the rest.
Orders
- Confirm or decline each order quickly, and answer chats within 24 hours.
- Deliver within 30 days unless you agreed another time with the buyer (Electronic Transactions Act, section 27). If you cannot supply, tell the buyer and refund any payment within 30 days.
- Tap "Confirm payment received" only when the money has reached you, and mark each order delivered or picked up.
Licences
Some goods need a licence from the authority that regulates them: medicines (National Drug Authority), agro-chemicals, seeds and veterinary products (MAAIF and NDA), food production (UNBS and local health authorities), and wine (a liquor licence). Keep your licence and show it to Fortiemart when asked.
Buyers' data
Use buyers' names, phones and addresses only to complete their orders. Do not sell them, share them or send marketing to buyers who have not agreed to it.
3. Prohibited and restricted items
Some items are never allowed on Fortiemart. Others are allowed only for licensed sellers and under conditions.
Never allowed
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Weapons | Firearms, ammunition, parts, explosives, fireworks, tasers and stun guns, crossbows, and knives sold as weapons. Kitchen knives, farm pangas and tools are allowed. |
| Sexual products | Sex toys and adult accessories, pornography, sexual enhancement pills and "aphrodisiacs". Condoms and family-planning products from licensed pharmacies are allowed. |
| Alcohol other than wine | Beer, spirits, waragi, gin, whisky, vodka, local brews and ciders. Wine is allowed under the restrictions below. |
| Tobacco and nicotine | Cigarettes, cigars, loose tobacco, snuff, shisha and e-cigarettes. Uganda's Tobacco Control Act, 2015 bans shisha and e-cigarettes and all tobacco advertising. |
| Drugs | Narcotic and psychotropic drugs, cannabis, khat (miraa) and anything sold to get high. |
| Protected wildlife | Ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales, bushmeat, skins, live wild animals and their parts (Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019). |
| Counterfeit and stolen goods | Fakes of any brand, pirated films, music and software, and phones or goods without proof of ownership. |
| Dangerous and illegal items | Banned pesticides, unregistered chemicals, human organs and body parts, government ID documents, number plates, gambling and lotteries, and hacking tools or personal data. |
Allowed with conditions
| Item | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Wine | Seller holds a liquor licence; the listing is marked 18+; the buyer confirms they are 18 or older, and delivery is handed only to an adult. |
| Medicines and medical devices | Only NDA-licensed pharmacies and drug shops. Prescription medicines are sold only against a valid prescription. |
| Agro-inputs | Seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and veterinary drugs must be registered or certified by MAAIF or NDA, in original labelled packs. |
| Live animals | Livestock and poultry only, healthy, with movement permits where required, and transported humanely. |
| Food | Hygienic, labelled where required, within shelf life, and from producers who meet UNBS and health rules. |
| Second-hand goods | Say clearly that the item is used and describe its condition and any faults. |
4. Payments and fees
Buyers pay the seller directly. Fortiemart never holds your money, during the pilot or after it.
How to pay
- After you place an order, Fortiemart shows the seller's payment details: MTN MoMo Pay or Airtel Pay merchant codes, mobile money numbers, bank accounts or a card payment link, each with the registered account name.
- Check that the name on your payment matches the name Fortiemart shows before you confirm. If it does not match, stop and report it in the chat or to Fortiemart.
- After paying, enter the transaction ID from your payment message and tap "I've paid". The seller confirms when the money arrives.
- Never pay outside the details shown on Fortiemart, and never send your PIN, OTP or password to anyone. Fortiemart staff will never ask for them.
Card payments
Sellers can add a secure card payment link from their bank or a licensed payment provider. Fortiemart's own card checkout will follow once our payment partner and licences are in place.
Fortiemart fees
During the pilot, shops pay only the one-time pilot fee of UGX 30,000. After the pilot, shops pay a monthly plan and a small fee on confirmed sales. The fee is added on top of the seller's price, so the seller receives their full price:
| Plan | Monthly | Fee on sales |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer | Free | None |
| Retail shop | UGX 100,000 | 2% |
| Wholesale shop | UGX 250,000 | 1.5% |
| Manufacturer | UGX 1,000,000 | 1% |
| International suppliers | In US dollars; see section 7 | |
Fees are billed daily at 7pm with any reward credit used first, and paid by mobile money. A bill unpaid by 9am the next day hides the shop until it is paid. Every shop that trades on Fortiemart helps bring more Ugandan businesses and customers online: the plans fund the verification, data and safety work that keeps the marketplace trusted.
5. Delivery
The buyer chooses how the order reaches them. Delivery happens through the seller, the buyer, or a courier Fortiemart has checked.
During the pilot, courier delivery through Fortiemart is not available yet. Buyers collect from the shop, or the shop delivers itself if it offers that. Courier options appear in the app automatically once a courier partner is approved, and we announce it on the Notice Board.
- Pickup: the buyer collects from the shop, at no cost.
- The shop delivers: at the delivery fee the shop shows before you order.
- A Fortiemart partner courier: choose a courier from the list, such as 24/7 Courier. The buyer and seller agree the courier's fee in the chat, and it is paid to the courier. Only couriers Fortiemart has checked appear on the list.
Give a clear delivery address with a landmark and a phone number for the rider. The seller is responsible for the goods until they are handed to the buyer or the buyer's chosen courier. Check the goods when they arrive and tap "I received it". International delivery is agreed directly between the buyer and the supplier (section 7).
6. Returns and refunds
Fair to buyers and sellers, and in line with the Electronic Transactions Act, 2011.
| Situation | Refund | Return transport |
|---|---|---|
| Changed your mind, within 7 days of receiving the goods | Full refund of the price you paid | Buyer pays |
| Changed your mind, day 8 to day 14 | Seller keeps 10%, refunds 90% of the item price | Buyer pays |
| Faulty, damaged, wrong item or not as described, within 30 days | Full refund, or a replacement if the buyer agrees | Seller pays |
| Changed your mind after 14 days | No change-of-mind return. Faults are still covered for 30 days and by any warranty. | |
Why the first 7 days are a full refund
Section 25 of the Electronic Transactions Act gives every buyer the right to cancel an online purchase within 7 days of receiving the goods (a "cooling-off" period), paying only the direct cost of returning them, with a full refund within 30 days. The law does not allow this right to be removed (section 28). Fortiemart's 10% handling share therefore applies only to change-of-mind returns after these 7 days.
Conditions
- Return the item unused, with its packaging, labels and accessories, as you received it. A seller may decline a change-of-mind return if the item has been used or damaged after delivery, and must explain why.
- Fresh and perishable goods (fresh food, flowers, cooked meals), items made to the buyer's order, and opened hygiene products can be returned only if they are faulty, damaged, wrong or not as described. Report problems with fresh goods on the day of delivery, with photos in the chat.
- For services, cancel before the service starts for a full refund. Once it has started, the buyer pays for the part already delivered.
How to return
- Open Orders, find the order and tap Return or refund. Choose the reason and explain; add photos in the chat.
- The seller accepts or declines within 2 working days and agrees the pickup or drop-off with you in the chat.
- The seller refunds the way you paid within 7 days of receiving the item back, and no later than 30 days after you cancelled (Electronic Transactions Act, section 25(3)). The seller records the refund transaction ID on Fortiemart.
- If the seller declines or does not refund, tap Ask Fortiemart to step in (section 11).
7. International suppliers
Manufacturers and wholesalers outside Uganda can list on Fortiemart, so that products made for African markets reach Ugandan buyers. They pay more than Ugandan shops, in US dollars.
- International businesses join as wholesale suppliers or manufacturers and complete company verification in their own country.
- They list prices in US dollars. Buyers also see an estimate in shillings, at the rate Fortiemart sets and updates each month.
- Delivery to Uganda, freight, insurance, URA customs duties and clearing, and any UNBS import inspection (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity) are agreed directly between the buyer and the supplier. Fortiemart does not arrange international shipping at this stage.
- Imported goods must meet Ugandan standards and the prohibited items rules in section 3.
- Payment is usually by bank transfer (with a SWIFT code) or a secure card link, to an account in the supplier's registered name.
Plans for international suppliers (after the pilot)
| Plan | Rest of Africa | Outside Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesale supplier | US$ 200 a month · 2% on sales | US$ 200 a month · 3% on sales |
| Manufacturer | US$ 350 a month · 2% on sales | US$ 600 a month · 3% on sales |
Every international supplier pays at least US$ 200 a month. African suppliers pay lower sales fees and a lower manufacturer plan than suppliers from outside Africa, and Ugandan shops pay the least, so local businesses stay competitive while buyers gain access to more products.
8. Quality standards and units
For farm and food products, Fortiemart asks sellers to state quality using the same measures that buyers, processors and exporters use.
Units of measure
Fortiemart uses metric (SI) units: gram, kilogram, tonne, millilitre, litre, metre, square metre, hectare and acre, plus standard trade packs such as the 50 kg and 100 kg bag, the 60 kg coffee bag (the international standard bag), the 20-litre jerrycan and the tray of 30 eggs. Prices are always per unit shown.
Moisture and safety limits
Damp produce grows mould, loses weight and value, and can develop aflatoxin, a poison that causes cancer. Dry and store produce to these limits:
| Commodity | Max. moisture | Other key limits | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maize grain | 13.5% | Total aflatoxin ≤ 10 ppb (B1 ≤ 5 ppb); fumonisin ≤ 2 ppm; foreign matter ≤ 0.5% (Grade 1) | EAS 2, as applied by UNBS |
| Maize flour and posho | 13% | Total aflatoxin ≤ 10 ppb (B1 ≤ 5 ppb) | EAS 44 |
| Dry beans | 13% | Total aflatoxin ≤ 10 ppb; foreign matter ≤ 0.5% (Grade 1) | EAS 46 |
| Soybeans | 13% | Total aflatoxin ≤ 10 ppb; foreign matter ≤ 1% (Grade 1) | EAS 762 |
| Dry split peas | 12% | Total aflatoxin ≤ 10 ppb; foreign matter ≤ 0.2% (Grade 1) | EAS 761 |
| Cassava flour | 12% | Hydrogen cyanide ≤ 10 mg/kg | EAS 740 |
| Green coffee (export) | 8% to 12.5% | Arabica ≤ 86 defects and Robusta ≤ 150 defects per 300 g sample | ICO Resolution 420; UCDA grading |
| Honey | 20% | Pure, with no added sugar or water | Codex Standard 12 |
Grades, origin and certificates
- Grade: Grade 1, 2 or 3 under the East African Standard, or the commodity's own grade (for example coffee Screen 18, 15, 12, or Bugisu AA).
- Origin and season: the district and the harvest season, so buyers can trace the produce.
- Certificates: UNBS Q-Mark or S-Mark, Organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, a laboratory report for aflatoxin or moisture, and farm GPS records for buyers who need EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) traceability.
Fortiemart shows these details on each product and flags readings above the standard, so buyers can trust what they buy and sellers with good produce get better prices. When in doubt, ask UNBS or your district agricultural officer, or test with a calibrated moisture meter.
8b. Listing standards by sector
Every sector lists in the units and with the details its buyers expect. Hotels sell per room per night, food sells per kilogram or per serving, and transport per trip or kilometre. Fortiemart shows the common units for your sector first and asks for the details below.
Units follow the international UN/CEFACT Recommendation 20 codes (for example KGM for kilogram, LTR for litre and DAY for a night's stay), so records can be used on trade and export documents.
| Sector | Common units | Details asked for | Licence or registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | kg, 50/90/100 kg bag, tonne, crate, bunch, tray of 30 eggs, head of livestock, acre | Type, breed or variety, age and vaccination for livestock, plus the quality details in section 8 | MAAIF or NDA for agro-inputs, seeds and veterinary drugs |
| Coffee | kg, 60 kg bag, tonne, 100 g pack, cup | Species, form (kiboko, FAQ, green, roasted, ground), process, roast, moisture and grade | UCDA registration |
| Food and dining | kg, g, litre, serving or plate, pack, dozen | Storage, shelf life, dietary (halal, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free), allergens | Food hygiene certificate or UNBS permit |
| Hotels, lodges and stays | room per night, per person per night, week, month | Property type, UTB star grading, room, maximum guests, beds, bathroom, size, amenities, check-in and check-out times, cancellation policy | Uganda Tourism Board licence |
| Tours and experiences | per person, trip, day, ticket | Duration, group size, what is included, meeting point, languages, cancellation policy | UTB tour operator or guide licence |
| Housing and construction | month, year, square metre, decimal, acre, 50 kg bag, cubic metre, trip | For rent or sale, property type, bedrooms, bathrooms, size, plot size, land tenure (freehold, mailo, leasehold, customary), furnishing, features | Contractor registration where relevant. Never pay a deposit before viewing a property and checking its title. |
| Retail, fashion and ICT | piece, pair, set, pack, metre, hour, month, licence, gigabyte | Brand, model, condition, size and size system, colour, material, warranty, UCC type approval for phones | UCC for telecom and internet services |
| Health | piece, pack, session, visit | Type, whether a prescription is needed, expiry date | Required: NDA, UMDPC or Allied Health Professionals Council licence |
| Education | session, hour, term, course, year | Level, in person or online, duration, certificate | Ministry of Education registration or NCHE accreditation |
| Transport | trip, kilometre, day, hour, tonne | Vehicle, capacity, routes, insurance | PSV or goods vehicle licence |
| Auto services | piece, set, job, hour | Make, model, year, mileage, fuel, transmission, part number, condition | None |
| Fashion, apparel and textiles | piece, pair, set, metre | Who it is for, what it is, size system (International XS–4XL, EU, UK, US, kids by height, shoes EU/UK/US, one size or made to measure), sizes in stock, fit, colours, material, care, condition | None |
| Arts, crafts and culture | piece, set | Kind, artist or maker, medium, size (W × H × D cm), weight, edition, made to order, lead time, certificate of authenticity | None |
| Gifts and hampers | piece, set, pack | Occasions, who it is for, what is inside, box size, name or message, wrapping, card, days needed, best-before for food | UNBS or food rules for food items |
| Beauty, events, media, arts, home and professional services | session, hour, day, job, ticket, visit, square metre | Duration, what the client gets, turnaround, venue and capacity, materials included, experience | Professional body registration where the law requires it (for example ULS, ICPAU, ERB) |
| Energy and solar; manufacturing | piece, set, job, kilowatt hour, kg, tonne, cubic metre | System size, battery, warranty, installation, grade and standard met, lead time | ERA licence where required; UNBS certification |
Official star grading
- Hotels, lodges, restaurants and tour operators may show the star grade given by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). They upload their grading certificate and Fortiemart checks the business name, the stars, the certificate number and the expiry date before any stars appear.
- Stars a business types in itself are never shown. When a certificate expires, the stars are hidden until the new certificate is checked. Showing a false grade breaks these terms.
- Customer ratings are separate: only customers with a completed order can rate.
Clothes, shoes and sizes
- Sizes follow international standards: body measurements in centimetres as in EN 13402 and ISO 8559, children's sizes by height, and shoes by foot length (ISO 9407) with the usual EU, UK and US labels. The app shows a size guide and can suggest a size from the buyer's measurements. Brands differ a little, so a shop may add its own size chart.
- When a shop lists sizes, the buyer must choose one. For made-to-measure items the buyer gives at least three measurements (in centimetres or inches), and the shop receives them with the order.
- A buyer may save their measurements to reuse later. Only they can see them; a shop sees them only on that buyer's order.
- An item that does not match the size the buyer chose, or the measurements given for a made-to-measure item, is treated as "not as described" in section 6.
Stays, tours and events
- Guests choose check-in and check-out dates from the property's calendar, which shows the rooms free each night. A room cannot be booked twice: once taken, those nights are closed to other guests. An unpaid booking holds the room for 24 hours.
- The cancellation policy shown on the listing and at booking applies, counted to the check-in time: Flexible: full refund up to 24 hours before, then the first night is kept. Moderate: full refund up to 5 days before, then 50%. Strict: 50% refund up to 7 days before, then none. Non-refundable: no refund. A listing without a policy is treated as Flexible. It is shown before booking, as the Electronic Transactions Act requires.
- If the property cancels a paid booking, the guest gets the full amount back.
- Fortiemart never holds the money: the property sends any refund to the guest directly and records its transaction ID in the app, and the guest is told. If a refund is not sent within 3 days the guest can report a problem and Fortiemart decides.
- Photos must show the real rooms, and amenities listed must be available. A stay that does not match its listing is treated as "not as described" in section 6.
8c. 24/7 Courier and warehouses
Parcels are priced by weight or size, sealed, and handed over only with the receiver's code. Goods in our warehouses are released only with the owner's release code.
- Price. We charge on the greater of the real weight and the size weight (length × width × height in cm ÷ 5,000), rounded up to the next half kilo, and on the distance band (same town, same region, across Uganda). The price is worked out by our system and shown before you book.
- Seal and code. Every parcel gets a numbered seal at pickup. The receiver gets a 4-digit code from the sender; the rider hands the parcel over only when the receiver gives that code. Every hand-over is written to a record that cannot be changed or deleted.
- Value. You declare the value of the goods. Parcels are not insured unless the booking says so. Claims for loss or damage are handled under section 11.
- Storage. Warehouse storage costs a fixed amount per square metre of floor space per day, plus a one-off handling fee per lot, as shown when goods are checked in. Goods are released only to someone who gives the release code.
- Not allowed. Anything in section 3 cannot be sent or stored.
8d. Vehicles, drivers and hires
Every vehicle is checked before it works, every driver is known, and Fortiemart earns a small commission on trips booked through the app.
- Registration. Owners register each vehicle with its number plate and papers (logbook, insurance, inspection, operating permit, PSV licence where the law needs one). A Fortiemart checker verifies the papers before the vehicle can take jobs. One account per plate.
- Known people. Owners and drivers must add their National ID Number (NIN) and confirm they are 18 or older. In Kampala, passenger bodas follow KCCA rules; only cargo bodas carry goods into the city centre.
- Plans. Bodas, cargo bodas and tuk-tuks are on the retail plan; cars, vans, pickups, taxis, coasters, buses and trucks on the wholesale plan. Plan fees start after the pilot.
- Commission. On trips and loads agreed through Fortiemart, the owner pays Fortiemart 2% of the agreed price for bodas, cargo bodas and tuk-tuks and 5% for other vehicles, billed monthly. Customers pay drivers directly. On 24/7 Courier legs, the owner earns a share of the delivery price instead.
- Location. Drivers choose when to show as available. Others see only a rough position (about 200 metres); the exact place is shared only with a customer who has booked.
8e. Jobs and skills
Workers never pay to find work on Fortiemart. Employers and workers are known, and both confirm the work and the pay.
- No fees for job seekers. No one may ask a worker for money to apply, to be interviewed, trained or hired. Such posts are blocked or removed, and the poster may be suspended. Report any request for money.
- Jobs abroad. Only recruitment agencies licensed by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and verified by Fortiemart, may post jobs outside Uganda.
- Known workers. Workers add their NIN and confirm they are 18 or older before they apply. Phone numbers are shared only when an employer hires.
- Proof of work. When a job ends, both sides confirm it with the same amount paid. This record belongs to the worker as proof of experience and earnings. Fortiemart never takes a cut of wages.
- Fair conduct. Pay, hours and conditions must follow Ugandan employment law. Ratings must be honest; abusive or false ratings are removed.
8f. Offers and adverts
Every offer is checked before it shows, is labelled as an ad, and must be true.
- Checked first. Fortiemart reviews each offer before it appears in the Offers tab. Offers are labelled "Offer" or "Ad".
- Honest. Prices, "was" prices and claims must be true, following the International Chamber of Commerce Advertising and Marketing Communications Code.
- Not accepted. Tobacco, shisha and e-cigarettes (banned under the Tobacco Control Act, 2015); prescription medicines; betting from operators without a Gaming Board licence; alcohol aimed at under-18s; political adverts; and anything in section 3.
- Format. One picture, or a video of up to 30 seconds and 20 MB. Videos never play by themselves, to save your data.
- Counting. A view counts when at least half of the picture is on screen for 1 second, or half of the video for 2 seconds (the MRC standard), once per person per day. Shops see views, people reached, likes, comments, chats, orders and shares.
- Comments. Keep them respectful and on topic. A comment reported by three people is hidden until reviewed.
8g. Records, spending and tax
Fortiemart keeps a record of what happens inside the app. It does not hold anyone's money.
- Orders, deliveries, storage, trips, hires and payments recorded in Fortiemart are kept as a signed record that helps settle problems. Deals made outside Fortiemart are at the parties' own risk.
- Your spending page adds up what you bought through Fortiemart, plus purchases you choose to add. Only you see it.
- Tax figures for shops (draft VAT and EFRIS receipt numbers) are a working record to help file with URA. They are not tax advice, and Fortiemart does not collect or pay tax for anyone.
8h. Fortiemart agents
Agents bring their parish onto Fortiemart. They never collect cash and never pay to join.
- Who can be an agent. Anyone 18 or older with a National ID Number recorded in the app, who passes the free agent test. One agent per parish, in the Greater Kampala, Fort Portal, Jinja and Mbarara hubs.
- Only Fortiemart. While they are agents, they sign people up for Fortiemart only.
- How agents are paid. Commission on each person they invite once that person starts trading (a buyer's first completed order, or a shop's first rent payment), plus a monthly base for active agents who meet that month's target. Amounts are shown in the app and may change for future months. Statements close on the 1st of each month and are paid to the agent's mobile money.
- Probation. A new agent becomes active after bringing in the number of verified shops shown in the app.
- Fraud. Fake accounts, signing up yourself, taking cash or misleading people ends the agent's work, and unpaid amounts linked to fraud are not paid.
- Talking to an agent. An agent will never ask you for money, your password or your PIN. Report anyone who does to Fortiemart.
8i. Events and tickets
Fortiemart sells tickets only for member shops, only for events it has checked, and keeps a record of every ticket.
- Who can sell. Only a Fortiemart member shop that is live. Each event is checked by Fortiemart before tickets go on sale.
- Events we do not sell. Adult or sexual events of any kind (including strip shows, sex parties, nudity and pornography), events on Fortiemart's blocked list, and anything that breaks section 3 or Ugandan law. Fortiemart may refuse or stop any event.
- Permits and safety. The organizer is responsible for the venue, permits, security and the event itself. Events for large crowds must give a permit or venue booking reference. Tickets never exceed the number of people the venue holds.
- Age limits. Events marked 18 and over can only be bought by, or given to, people who confirm they are 18 or older. Organizers should check identity at the gate.
- Paying. During the pilot, buyers pay the organizer by mobile money and type the transaction ID. Tickets are issued when the organizer confirms the money arrived. Unpaid tickets are held for 30 minutes, then released.
- Your ticket. Each ticket has its own QR code and code, works without internet and lets one person in once. You may give a ticket to another member in the app before the event starts. Copies of a used ticket are refused at the gate.
- Refunds. Each organizer sets their own refund policy. It is shown on the event, at checkout, on your ticket and on the organizer's dashboard, and you must accept it before paying. If an event is cancelled, the organizer must refund ticket holders under that policy and record each refund in the app.
- Online events. The organizer sends the link or meeting details to ticket holders through Fortiemart Chat. Do not share it with people without tickets.
- Fortiemart's fee. Organizers pay Fortiemart a fee on each ticket sold (5% at launch), billed with their commission. The buyer pays the ticket price shown. When an organizer cancels an event and refunds buyers, Fortiemart returns its fee on those refunds.
8j. Groups, staff, service desks, vehicles and appointments
Groups and shops can work together on Fortiemart, but money always stays with the group or the shop.
- Groups. SACCOs, cooperatives, farmer groups, associations and boda stages can register a group. The person who registers it is the chairperson and is responsible for it. Fortiemart checks the group's papers before it shows as verified.
- Members and officers. People join with the group's join code or are added by an officer (chairperson, secretary or treasurer). Officers see members' names and member codes, not their phone numbers.
- Deliveries and shares. Officers record what each member delivers. When the group sells a batch, each member's share is their quantity × the sale price, shown on their statement. Records must be true: false records can lead to the group being paused.
- Money stays with the group. Fortiemart does not hold savings, give loans or pay members. The group pays its members from its own account or mobile money. Fortiemart only keeps the records.
- Shop staff. A shop owner may add staff (manager, cashier, waiter, kitchen) by their member code. Staff see the shop's open orders and can mark them paid, cooking, ready or served according to their role. Only the owner sees sales totals, fees and payment settings. The owner is responsible for what staff do in the app.
- Receipts. Receipts printed from Fortiemart carry the shop's name and logo and the words "Issued via Fortiemart 360 Marketplace". They record the order, not a tax invoice, unless the shop adds its own EFRIS details.
- Group chat. Members of a group can chat together and officers can send announcements. Only officers can share links. Officers can remove messages, limit posting to officers or close the chat. Be respectful: Fortiemart can pause a group that is used for scams or abuse.
- Event and campaign links. When you join through a partner link (for example TESY 2026), Fortiemart records that you came through that event so we can report how many people the partnership helped. Shops opened by these members show the event badge.
- Vehicles for sale. Car, motorcycle and truck prices are not shown publicly. Buyers ask the seller in Fortiemart chat, and the price is agreed there. Never pay a deposit before you have seen the vehicle and its logbook. Fortiemart shows vehicle details as the seller gives them; check the chassis number and registration yourself before you pay.
- Appointments. Shops can let buyers book a test drive, viewing, consultation or service. The shop confirms, suggests another time or declines; both get a reminder. When a booking is confirmed, the shop sees the buyer's phone number so they can reach each other on the day.
- Sample shops. Some categories show sample shops marked "Sample" so you can see how the category works. They are not real businesses: they cannot take orders, chats or money. If anyone asks you to pay a sample shop's code, report it as a scam.
- Sold out and ratings. Shops can mark an item "sold out today"; it cannot be ordered until the next day. Buyers who received an order may rate each item from 1 to 5 stars; averages show on the shop page.
9. Privacy notice
We collect only the data we need, with your consent, keep it safe, and never sell it.
Who is responsible
Fortiemart Holdings Company Limited is the data controller under the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019, and registers with the Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO). Contact our data protection officer at info@fortiemart.com.
What we collect and why
| Data | Why we use it |
|---|---|
| Name, email, phone, country, town and language | To create your account, contact you about orders, and show the marketplace in your language. We email you about your own orders, payments, tickets, returns and new chat messages; you can switch these emails off on the Me page. We never email you adverts without your consent |
| Shop details, location pin, payment details and account names, verification documents | To show your shop to buyers, let them pay you, and check that sellers are real (KYC) |
| Orders, payments reported, deliveries, returns, reviews | To run each order, settle problems and keep the records tax and consumer law require |
| Chats, photos, voice notes and videos you send | To deliver your messages and keep a record of what was agreed. With personal details removed, chats also help improve Fortiemart's services and AI tools, as you agreed when signing up |
| NIN, vehicle papers, skill card, work and trip records | To know who carries goods, drives or works for hire, verify vehicles, and give workers proof of their work. Vehicle papers are seen only by the owner and Fortiemart checkers |
| Location while you show as available | Only when a driver or worker switches it on, so customers nearby can find them. Others see a rough position (about 200 m); it stops when you switch off or close the app |
| Visits, searches and taps | To count visitors for sellers and improve the marketplace. Reports use numbers and codes, not names |
| App errors and problem reports | When something breaks, the app sends the error, the screen you were on and your phone type, with emails and phone numbers removed, so we can fix it. A problem you report, and any screenshot you add, is seen only by you and Fortiemart support |
| Group membership, deliveries and shares | To keep each group's member list and give every member a statement. Group officers see members' names and codes, not phone numbers |
| Leads an agent writes down | Agents may note the name, place and, with permission, the phone of a shop or person they visit, to follow up. Only the agent and Fortiemart's agent office see these notes |
| Notes and tags by Fortiemart staff | Support staff may add short notes and tags to a member's record (for example "called about the pilot fee") so the team can help you consistently. You can ask to see them |
| Pilot fee and plan payments | The network, transaction ID and amount a shop reports, so Fortiemart can confirm the payment and issue a receipt |
Where your data is stored
Fortiemart 360 runs on Supabase, a secure cloud database, in Frankfurt, Germany (European Union), where the EU's data protection law applies. When you sign up you agree to this storage outside Uganda. Fortiemart also keeps encrypted offline backups in Uganda so that no data is lost if a service fails.
Who sees it
- Buyers see a shop's public details. Payment details and account names are shown only to a buyer after they order from that shop.
- Sellers see the name, phone and delivery address of buyers who order from them, only to complete those orders.
- Fortiemart staff see what their role needs. Sub-admins see codes, not names, and every report they open is logged.
- We share data with the authorities only when the law requires it. We never sell personal data.
Your rights
You can ask to see the data we hold about you, correct it, stop marketing, withdraw consent, or delete your account. Some order records must be kept after an account is closed, for as long as tax and consumer law require. Write to info@fortiemart.com and we answer within 30 days. If you are unhappy with our answer, you can complain to the Personal Data Protection Office.
Security
Data is encrypted in transit, access is controlled by role, chat media is private to the people in the chat, and we keep regular backups. If a data breach puts your data at risk, we inform the PDPO and you without delay, as the law requires.
10. Messages, chats and reviews
- Offers and news are sent only if you switch them on, at sign-up or under Me → Settings. You can switch them off at any time, free of charge (Electronic Transactions Act, section 26). Order and chat alerts are part of the service and stay on.
- Chats keep a record of what buyer and seller agreed. Send photos, voice notes up to 2 minutes and videos up to 1 minute. Be respectful; no threats, hate or explicit content.
- Reviews can be left only after a completed order, so every review is from a real buyer. Write honestly about quality, customer care and delivery. Sellers may reply. We remove reviews that are abusive, fake or include personal data.
- Translation of chats and descriptions is done by machine, including Ugandan languages through Sunbird AI. Check important details, such as prices and quantities, in the original text.
11. Problems and disputes
- Talk to the other side in the chat first. Most problems are solved there.
- If not, tap Ask Fortiemart to step in on the order or return. Fortiemart reviews the chat, order record, photos and payment IDs, and answers within 5 working days.
- Fortiemart may suspend a seller or buyer who does not follow these policies, and may share the record with the police or a court where there is fraud.
- You keep the right to take a complaint to the Uganda courts or the relevant authority at any time.
12. Safety and security reports
Pay shops only to the code shown in their Fortiemart shop, never share your PIN, and report anything suspicious in the app.
- Scams. Tap Report a problem, then "Someone tried to scam me". Fortiemart may pause an account while it checks. Anyone can check a shop code in the Safety Centre.
- Fortiemart staff never ask for your PIN or for money by phone or chat. The only charge to shops is shown inside the shop's own dashboard, with Fortiemart's merchant code.
- Security weaknesses. If you find a weakness in Fortiemart's app or website, tell us privately at info@fortiemart.com with the subject "Security". Do not access other members' accounts or data while testing. We will reply, fix it and thank you.
13. Contact
Fortiemart Holdings Company Limited · info@fortiemart.com · +256 709 793 055 · +256 753 180 015
Kampala: Kanjokya House, Level 4, Hive Colab Workspace, Kanjokya Street · Fort Portal: Kagote