The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda has joined other African countries in the inaugural Africa Safer Gambling Week, a continental initiative bringing together regulators, industry associations, operators, safer gambling organisations and other stakeholders to strengthen player protection across Africa.
Taking place from 7–11 September 2026, Africa Safer Gambling Week is convened by the African iGaming Alliance (AiA) in collaboration with regulators and supported by national industry associations, operators and safer gaming organisations across Africa. The initiative seeks to increase awareness of safer gambling practices, help players make informed choices and ensure people know where and how to access support.
Uganda’s participation comes as the country’s gaming industry becomes increasingly digital, with an estimated 93% of gaming activity now taking place online, significantly changing how and where people access gaming services.
National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) Chief Executive Officer Denis Mudene Ngabirano said the evolution of the industry requires an equally strong focus on player protection.
“As regulators, our role goes beyond licensing operators and enforcing compliance. As gaming becomes easier to access, player protection must become stronger. Africa Safer Gambling Week gives us an opportunity to join our counterparts across the continent in putting the wellbeing of the player at the centre of the conversation about the future of gaming.”
Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe, CEO of the African iGaming Alliance, said the Week seeks to translate continental collaboration into practical action on player protection.
“Player protection is bigger than any one regulator, operator or jurisdiction. Through Africa Safer Gambling Week, we are bringing African stakeholders together around a shared responsibility to help people make informed choices, understand safer gambling and know where to access support when they need it. Our ambition is for this to grow into an annual continental movement that translates collaboration into practical action.”
For Uganda, the Week builds on responsible gaming interventions already being implemented by NLGRB across prevention, player protection and support.
The Board’s awareness programmes have reached 33,593 students and 1,600 teachers across the country, with particular emphasis on preventing underage gaming and helping young people understand gambling-related risks. The Board is also calling on parents, guardians, schools and community leaders to help protect young people from exposure to underage gambling.
Technology is also being used to strengthen player protection. Through the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS) and operator-linked systems, players can access interventions such as self-exclusion, which allows someone concerned about their gambling behaviour to voluntarily restrict their participation. More than 16,700 players have used self-exclusion mechanisms through operator systems.
The launch also brought together gaming operators and mental health professionals working alongside the regulator, reflecting the shared responsibility required to promote responsible gaming.
Allan Tumushabe, Managing Director of Chop Gaming, trading as BetPawa Uganda, highlighted measures operators are implementing to protect players, including regular Know Your Customer (KYC) and age-verification checks to identify minors and block their accounts, as well as self-exclusion options for customers who need to step away from gaming.
NLGRB has strengthened support for people experiencing gambling-related harm through its Call Centre, counselling and referral programme and partnerships with mental health professionals. Since February 2025, the Board’s Call Centre has received 2,388 calls, including 320 responsible gaming-related calls.
Janet Kantalama, Executive Director of Safe Places, described gambling-related harm as a public health issue affecting young people and highlighted the organisation’s work with the Board on prevention among school-going youth. “Help is available, free confidential counseling,” she said.
Through the partnership, Safe Places provides professional counselling and treatment to people experiencing gambling-related harm, with the cost of treatment covered by the Board.
Ngabirano said the partnership recognises that responsible gaming requires more than regulation alone.
“Responsible gaming is not simply about telling someone to stop gambling. Where gaming begins to affect a person’s finances, relationships or mental wellbeing, they may need professional support. This is why our partnerships with health professionals and other stakeholders are an important part of our approach.”
As part of Africa Safer Gambling Week, NLGRB will take responsible gaming awareness directly into communities, engaging boda boda riders, students, market communities and the taxi community. Activities will focus on practical safer gambling behaviours, financial literacy and informed decision-making, recognising early signs of gambling-related harm and where to seek help.
Uganda currently has 63 licensed gaming operators. The sector contributed sh355.4 billion in Government revenue during FY2025/26 and supports more than 24,000 jobs nationwide. NLGRB says continued industry growth must go hand in hand with effective regulation and consumer protection.
