How do I know if my bulk SMS was delivered?
Updated
Every message sent through Bulk SMS Uganda has a delivery status you can see on your dashboard or fetch from the API (GET /api/v1/status/{id}). Success means it reached the handset; Rejected and Failed mean it didn't; Sent, Submitted and Buffered mean it's still on its way.
What each status means
| Status | Meaning | Final? |
|---|---|---|
| Sent | Accepted by the platform and handed to the mobile network. | No |
| Submitted | Acknowledged by the network, waiting for a delivery receipt. | No |
| Buffered | Queued on the network — for example the phone is off or out of coverage. | No |
| Success | Delivered to the handset. | Yes |
| Rejected | Refused by the network (invalid number, blocked, or sender ID issue). | Yes |
| Failed | Could not be delivered before the message expired. | Yes |
Where to see delivery status
- Dashboard: open your sent messages to see each message's status and the credits used.
- API: call GET /api/v1/status/{id} with the ID returned when you sent the message — see the SMS API guide.
Why an SMS might not be delivered
- Wrong or incomplete number — a Ugandan mobile number has 9 digits after +256 (for example +256772123456). Malformed numbers are rejected before sending.
- Phone switched off or out of coverage — the message stays Buffered and becomes Failed if it can't be delivered before it expires.
- Refused by the network — shown as Rejected; this can be an invalid number, a block on the recipient's side, or a sender ID issue.
If you see unexpected failures, call or WhatsApp support on 0774310842 with a few message IDs.
Related questions
What does Buffered mean for an SMS?
The message is queued on the mobile network, usually because the recipient's phone is off or out of coverage. It is delivered when the phone reconnects, or marked Failed if it expires first.
What's the difference between Rejected and Failed?
Rejected means the network refused the message (for example an invalid number). Failed means it was accepted but couldn't be delivered before it expired.
When are credits deducted for an SMS?
Credits are deducted when the message is accepted for sending. The send response's calculatedCredits shows exactly how many were used.
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