Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni on Friday morning met with Kenyan Sports betting firm, SportPesa officials who are looking to set up shop in Uganda.
The meeting that also included Youth Minister Nakiwala Kiyinji and FUFA boss Moses Magogo took place at State House Entebbe.
“Met investors from the SportPesa company who were accompanied by Ugandan football administrators, at State House, Entebbe. The group seeks to help the government empower the youth through football & increase revenue by strictly regulating betting,” reads a message on Museveni’s Facebook page.
It adds, “I thank them for my gift of a ball and a shirt autographed by the Everton FC manager Ronald Koeman. Museveni last week sent a high-powered government delegation, led by Kiyingi, to Nairobi to meet Sportpesa Kenya chief executive Ronald Karauri.”
Museveni last week sent a high-powered government delegation, led by Youth minister Nakiwala Kiyingi, to Nairobi to meet Sportpesa Kenya chief executive Ronald Karauri.
Ugandan government, Ms Kiyingi said, was willing to give the deep-pocketed betting firm, which is battling a 35 per cent tax on its revenue in Kenya, special incentives.
Uganda charges 35 per cent tax on net profit and not revenue. Before June 21, lotteries were taxed at 5 per cent, betting firms ( bookmakers) at 7.5 per cent, casino gambling at 12 per cent and competitions such as raffles at 15 per cent.
SportPesa will also help boost sports sponsorship.
SportPesa chief executive Ronald Karauri (above) said the firm has also been invited to help develop a regulatory framework for the gaming and betting industry in Uganda.
“Just like the teething problems we have in Kenya, Uganda also have an influx of illegal gaming players. We are more than ready to help the Ugandan government streamline the sector, now that they have officially invited us for a series of meetings in Kampala,” Karauri said.
