NLGRB and Butabika Hospital engage traders on safe gaming at Kitooro market
The NLGRB team reminded participants that gaming must not interfere with running their businesses or supporting their households.
Uganda.- The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board has teamed up with mental health specialists from Butabika Hospital to host a responsible gaming awareness session for traders at Kitooro market.
The event took place on a busy market day at the popular trading hub, which hosts more than 1,000 stalls and draws large numbers of local residents and visitors. NLGRB staff and hospital experts spoke directly with traders and members of the public about treating gaming strictly as a form of entertainment.
Traders were guided on setting firm limits on both time and spending, and on recognising early warning signs such as disrupted work routines or the need to borrow money to gamble. The session also covered simple stress management techniques and steps for getting help early if needed.
Susan Hope, Senior Responsible Gaming Officer at the NLGRB, said: “Gaming should never cost someone their livelihood, their peace of mind or their family. Our role is to ensure it remains entertainment – nothing more, nothing less.”
The NLGRB team reminded participants that gaming must not interfere with running their businesses or supporting their households. Mental health experts from Butabika Hospital explained how excessive gaming can lead to worry, family strain and financial difficulties, and encouraged traders to seek help as soon as concerns arise.
The session forms part of the NLGRB’s regular community outreach to improve understanding of player protection measures. Similar engagements have taken place at other markets, including Nakawa Market in Kampala, where traders received the same messages about betting only what they can afford to lose and keeping business funds separate from gaming money.
The outreach also highlights the regulator’s focus on reaching people where they live and work, particularly in trading communities where small businesses support many families. The aim is to help traders enjoy gaming safely without putting their livelihoods or household stability at risk.
