In a ceremony marking a significant transition for Uganda’s gaming sector, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija yesterday inaugurated a new leadership board for the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), while lauding the outgoing team for engineering a dramatic financial and operational turnaround.
Presiding over the handover in Kampala on Thursday, Minister Kasaija credited the departing board, chaired by Aloysius Mugasa Adyeri, with rescuing a “once chaotic sector” and forging it into “a modern, transparent, and credible regulatory body.”
“A Strategic Investment”
In his keynote address, the Minister directly linked effective gaming regulation to national progress: “Your appointment,” he told the incoming board led by prominent capital markets expert Kenneth Kitariko, “is both a recognition of your individual competencies and a collective strategic investment in Uganda’s broader development and revenue mobilisation goals.”
Outgoing Board Leaves Robust Legacy
Chairman Emeritus Adyeri outlined a legacy of profound institutional growth under his tenure:
- Revenue surged sixfold, from UGX 50.6 billion in FY2019/20 to UGX 323 billion by June 2025.
- Implementation of the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS), enabling real-time oversight of operators.
- Formalisation of illegal operators, broadening the tax base.
- Successful onboarding of Uganda’s National Lottery Operator, Ithuba Uganda Limited.
- Maintaining operational resilience during government rationalisation under RAPEX.
“I carry with me… great optimism,” Adyeri stated, expressing confidence in the NLGRB’s continued strength.
New Board Brings Multi-Sectoral Expertise
The incoming team, appointed for a three-year term, blends diverse critical skills:
- Mr. Kenneth Kitariko (Chairperson): Capital markets and regulation.
- Ms. Esther Akullo: Public sector accountability and planning.
- Mr. William Blick: International sports governance and stakeholder engagement.
- ACP Odong Mark Paul: Compliance, enforcement, and public safety.
- Ms. Faridah Bahemuka: Legal, tax policy, and private sector experience.
Continuity Pledged Amid High Expectations
CEO Denis Mudene Ngabirano emphasised institutional stability, pledging the Secretariat’s “unwavering support” and “full technical cooperation” to the new board. He paid tribute to the outgoing board’s role in achieving “digital transformation, enforcement efficiency, and vote status.”
Incoming Chairperson Kenneth Kitariko struck a collaborative tone, announcing an open-door policy focused on dialogue and mutual respect: “I’m here to listen, to support, and to ensure we remain on course, regulating with integrity, expanding our fiscal contribution, and safeguarding Ugandans.” He specifically praised CEO Mudene Ngabirano’s “pivotal operational leadership.”
Kitariko acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating the board would require “courage, focus, and an unrelenting commitment to strategy execution” to align regulation with national priorities and build stakeholder trust.
Background: The NLGRB oversees all gaming, betting, and lottery activities in Uganda. Its transformation is viewed as a key success story in public sector reform and revenue enhancement.
