Uganda’s NLGRB CEO joins peers at SiGMA Africa 2026 to promote evidence-based gaming frameworks
Denis Mudene emphasised that the African gaming industry, particularly Uganda’s market, has progressed beyond an emerging phase and now requires responsible, evidence-based governance.
Uganda.- Uganda’s National Lotteries and Gambling Regulatory Board (NLGRB) CEO, Denis Mudene, joined African gaming regulators at SiGMA Africa 2026 to promote evidence-based policies that protect players while fostering industry growth.
During the “Regulating Africa: Putting the Player First” panel, he appeared alongside top policymakers, including Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, CEO of African iGaming Alliance (AIA); Vusi Mtsweni, CEO of Mpumalanga Economic Regulator and James Mblawe, CEO of the Gaming Board of Tanzania, where they discussed practical regulatory strategies to balance player safety with sustainable sector development. The session was moderated by Zoe Siwa, CFO, Western Cape Gambling Board.
Denis emphasised that the African gaming industry, particularly Uganda’s market, has progressed beyond an emerging phase and now requires responsible, evidence-based governance. According to panel discussions, regulators must rely on data to shape policies that protect players without inadvertently driving them to unregulated markets.
The panel highlighted that regulated markets must evolve alongside digital and mobile-driven growth. Regulators agreed that clear, consistent rules, coupled with data analysis on player behaviour and risk, are necessary to monitor trends and reduce harm. Emphasis was placed on collaborative frameworks and regional cooperation as tools to harmonise regulatory approaches across countries.
The panel also stressed that player protection should not only focus on restrictions but also on enabling safer, regulated markets that outcompete illegal operators. Robust enforcement, transparent licensing, monitoring systems and data-driven policies were cited as key tools to achieve this balance.
The discussions form part of broader continental efforts to strengthen gambling regulation and protect consumers while supporting market growth and innovation. The event started on Tuesday, March 3, at The Grand Arena at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World in Cape Town, South Africa and concludes on March 5.
