Suzan Murungi shades more light on the role of the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board regarding responsible gaming in Uganda.
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NGLRB), in partnership with Butabika National Referral Hospital and the Bank of Uganda (BOU) recently organized an outreach event to raise awareness on responsible gaming and financial literacy.
The Responsible Gaming Engagement event which was held at the SafeBoda Academy, located at the company’s head offices in Kyebando, Kampala on Tuesday, April 8th, was graced by different stakeholders in different sectors and Safe Boda riders who shared insights on responsible gaming, addiction, and financial literacy.
The event was a response to a growing concern that young Ugandans, especially low income earners, are increasingly engaging in gambling as a means of survival rather than leisure.
We’re not here to stop betting
Susan Hope Murungi, Senior Responsible Gaming Officer at the NGLRB, during her speech, emphasized that stopping people from betting is not the solution but rather teach them on how to bet responsibly.
“We are here to make sure that you gamble responsibly and make your families better in the process,” she said.
Hope acknowledged the difficult economic conditions many Ugandans face. “There are no jobs in the country, and people are losing hope. So they turn to gambling.”
She said that do practice gambling to have fun, but others see it as a way to invest what little they have, hoping to get more.
“But the message was clear: gambling is not a financial plan. “You don’t need to get loans to bet,” she cautioned.
“Use only what you can afford to lose. Set a budget. Set a time. Don’t let gambling take over your working hours or replace your responsibilities,” Murungi urged.
Regulation over bans
Hope emphasized that betting, whether banned or not, would still happen especially online. “People are not only betting from Uganda but also other outside countries. That’s why we don’t just focus on banning. We focus on regulation.”
She pointed out that although Uganda’s legal adult age is 18, the NGLRB requires bettors to be 25 and above.
“At 18, you’re legally an adult, yes. But many are still in school or under their parents’ care. We believe 25 is a more mature age for making decisions about gambling,” Hope urged.
In partnership with NIRA, the Board uses ID verification systems to prevent underage gambling even on digital platforms.
“We’re also going after illegal, unlicensed betting machines, we know they’re out there, and we are coming for them,” Hope added.
She encouraged riders to use the Board’s website to verify registered betting companies and report unlicensed operators. “If a company is registered with us and you have an issue, we’ll help you get justice.”
The rise of gambling related mental illness
Eric Kwebiiha, a professional counsellor from Butabika National Referral Hospital, painted a stark picture of what happens when gambling goes unchecked.
“I spent 10 years at Butabika without seeing patients due to betting, but in the past three years, the numbers have gone up. We now receive patients whose mental illness is directly linked to gambling,” he said.
He described the symptoms that included loss of sleep, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
“When you feel you’re not betting enough and think you should increase your stake, or when you lie about your losses, those are signs of addiction,” he added.
Kwebiiha explained that once a person’s brain is overstimulated by the highs and lows of gambling, the body begins to show signs of stress.
“Some people lose everything they own. Some remain mentally strong. Others completely break,” Kwekiiha pointed out.
According to Kwebiiha,, addiction doesn’t just manifest in psychological symptoms but also in physical and social issues.
“People borrow money, lie, commit fraud, and even fail to meet their work responsibilities. We’re seeing more heart conditions, sleep disorders, and distress from people who can’t stop betting,” he said.
“Seek help early. Talk to professionals. If you notice changes in your mood, appetite, or behavior don’t ignore them. The earlier you get help, the easier it is to recover,” he advised.
Financial Literacy: The missing link
As part of the campaign, the Bank of Uganda’s Financial Literacy Unit was also on hand to address the root of the problem, lack of money management skills.
According to Hashim Kirungi, from the Financial Literacy Unit, Bank of Uganda, Financial literacy is not just knowledge, It’s also the confidence to manage your money well.
“If you don’t have financial knowledge, you’re more likely to make poor financial choices including gambling,” Kirungi advised.
He introduced the Bank’s eight modules of financial literacy training, which include budgeting, savings, loan management, and investment planning.
“You need to know the difference between your needs and wants. We need to set financial goals, create a budget, and track your income and expenses,” he added.
Kirungi emphasized that gambling is often a symptom of poor financial habits. “If you don’t plan, you’ll gamble in hopes of a shortcut. But life doesn’t work that way.”
Voices from the Riders
Richard Mugera, a boda boda rider with SafeBoda, shared his own thoughts during the session. “Betting gives you mixed feelings,” he said.
“Betting is also a teacher, it teaches you lessons through wins and losses. But don’t bet your savings it will break your heart when you lose,” Mugera added.
He stressed the importance of boundaries. “You need to have limitations. Make betting your fun, not your life. If you make it your first priority, it will cost you everything.”
Mugera also called on the government to place undercover observers at betting stations. “They need to see what happens on those machines. People are betting with everything they’ve got.”
Speaking to Titus Mivule, another rider admitted to struggling with financial planning. “I don’t save regularly. If I have money, I spend it without planning. But with these lessons I now need to change.”
“I bet maybe two or three times a week, mostly for fun. But sometimes, I get tempted to go big. I’ve lost more than I planned before,” Mivule said.
He continued and expressed his gratitude towards NLGRB for organizing events for responsible gaming awareness, training and education is more important to bettors.
“We need more of these trainings and educational programs, I didn’t know all the risks before,” Mivule concluded.
Protecting the vulnerable
The NGLRB, Butabika Hospital, and the Bank of Uganda all agree, protecting vulnerable groups like youth and low-income earners requires more than regulation.
“We must engage communities directly, partnerships like this one with SafeBoda are essential. You are our frontline,” said Hope
The Board is also pushing for wider public awareness campaigns and school outreach.
“We must start early. If we teach young people about responsible gaming and financial planning now, we’ll prevent problems down the line,” Hope added.
Looking ahead
Make betting fun. Not your job. Not your plan for getting rich. “Bet what you can afford to lose, and walk away when it’s not your day,” Hope concluded.
Responsible gaming is not just about setting rules. It’s about giving people the knowledge, tools, and support they need to make better choices.
Whether it’s budgeting money, seeking mental health support, or saying “no” when the urge to gamble strikes, every small step counts.
Gambling is not inherently evil, it’s how and why people gamble that matters. “If you treat betting as leisure, it won’t cost you. But if you treat it as a lifeline it might take everything,” Mugera advised.
