Uganda National Lottery expands USSD platform with Luganda language option
National Lottery integrates widely spoken local language to broaden participation and promote responsible play.
Uganda.- The Uganda National Lottery has expanded access to its services by adding Luganda, a widely spoken local language in the central region, to its USSD platform, giving players more choice and promoting more inclusive play.
The update, which went live on December 9, allows users to play lottery games in either English or Luganda by dialling 278#. Access in this way removes language barriers for millions of Ugandans who rely on basic mobile phones rather than smartphone apps or internet-based services.
The National Lottery said: “Players in the country can now choose their language from English or Luganda and play their favourite Lottery game by easily dialling 278# on their cellphones.”
The Uganda National Lottery is operated by ITHUBA Uganda, the licensed operator authorised under the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), responsible for managing lottery operations, ticket sales and prize distributions in the country.
The addition of Luganda marks a significant localisation step for the national lottery, which previously operated its USSD interface exclusively in English.
The move aligns with a broader trend across African gaming and lottery markets in which operators are increasingly tailoring digital platforms to local languages to drive participation and responsible engagement.
