Health 3 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Betting Boom: Spotting Addiction Before It Ruins Lives
Easy mobile access has turned casual betting into a daily compulsion for many Ugandans, leading to financial ruin, broken relationships, and behavioral changes. Experts highlight warning signs and available support to help those affected regain control. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/healthy-living/gaming-addiction-warning-signs-you-shouldn-t-ignore-5443684
What begins as fun weekend bets on football matches has become a relentless habit for countless Ugandans, fueled by smartphones and instant digital payments. With over 20 million smartphone users and 93% of gaming now online, the convenience is pulling people deeper into risky patterns.
Allan Kabanda, a Manchester United supporter, started betting in 2014 after a big win on a friend’s tip. What seemed like easy money soon escalated, turning weekends into daily obsessions across various sports.
Dennis Mudene Ngabirano, CEO of the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board, notes that mobile connectivity and multiple accounts have embedded betting into daily life, especially during major leagues like the Premier League.
Ivan Musenero, an occupational therapist at the Kampala Youth Rehabilitation and Skilling Foundation, warns that gaming loses its joy when control slips away, morphing into a disorder.
Key Warning Signs
Financial red flags include borrowing heavily, unexplained debts, and selling assets—like Kabanda’s Uber car or Arison Pounds diverting tuition fees. Socially, irritability and withdrawal strain family ties, as seen with former DJ Ahmed Jude Masika, whose wife and child left due to his habit.
Behaviorally, compulsion shows in chasing losses, constant play, and inability to skip even two days without betting.
Path to Recovery
The Regulatory Board promotes responsible gaming under the Lotteries and Gaming Act, partnering with health bodies and rehab centers for awareness and counseling. Toll-free help at 0800285800 and services from places like Kampala Youth Rehabilitation offer therapy, financial training, and relapse prevention.
Reformed individuals like Masika and Evans Kansiime stress early intervention and family support as game-changers.
This article is based on a report from the Daily Monitor.