President Yoweri Bans Sports Betting in Uganda

The President of Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni has banned sports betting in Uganda and other forms of gambling were also included in a bid to tackle spots betting addiction amongst gamblers.

The was made known by the David Bahati the State Minister of Finance at the 2019 Brethren Conference of the Diocese of Kigezi in the western town of Kabale.

speaking about the development, he said

“We have received a directive from President Museveni to stop licensing sports betting, gaming and gambling companies,”

“The President has now directed the board which has been regulating them. From now onwards, no new companies are going to be licensed”.

“Those which are already registered, no renewal of licenses when they expire,”

He further cited the negative impact of betting on the youth as the main reason for the ban.

He also insinuated that the prayers of Church leaders who are against Sports betting have been answered and should celebrate.

However, Manzi Tumubweine the Chairperson on the National Gaming Board Uganda, which is the body in charge of licensing sports betting companies in Uganda, while responding to the statement from the State minister of finance said

“I can’t comment on what I don’t know. They say they want to ban full betters, I don’t know how they are going to do it. As soon as I get the policy, you can call me and I comment about it. I know it, but I don’t want to comment on it because I have my views about it.”

Sports betting have been a major source for concern in most African Nation and from all indication, Ugandan Government is the first country to ban it in their country.