Uganda’s NLGRB and UCC move to strengthen monitoring of digital gambling content

Uganda’s gambling regulator has opened talks with the national communications watchdog to improve oversight of online gambling, illegal operators and gambling-related advertising across digital and broadcast channels.

Uganda’s National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has initiated discussions with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) as part of a broader effort to strengthen oversight of online gambling activity and gaming-related advertising in the country.

The engagement, held on April 29, brought together representatives of both agencies to discuss illegal online gambling operations and the monitoring of gambling promotions distributed through digital and broadcast platforms. According to industry reporting, NLGRB chief executive officer Denis Mudene Ngabirano said closer coordination with communications authorities is becoming increasingly important as online betting expands in Uganda.

A key focus of the talks was advertising standards. The NLGRB wants to ensure that gambling advertisements are accurate, responsibly presented and not misleading to consumers. This is particularly relevant in a market where mobile access, digital payments and online betting platforms have made gambling content easier to distribute and harder to supervise through traditional enforcement methods.

The UCC was represented by Dr Abudu Sallam Waiswa, the commission’s head of litigation, prosecution and legal advisory. He reportedly underlined the need for cooperation between state agencies to protect the public and strengthen enforcement against unlawful online gambling activity. The UCC’s mandate covers Uganda’s communications sector, including telecommunications, broadcasting, data communication and communications infrastructure, which makes it a relevant partner in the supervision of gambling content distributed through media and digital channels.

The move fits into the NLGRB’s wider regulatory strategy. The Board is mandated to regulate and oversee lotteries, gaming and betting in Uganda, while also protecting the public from the adverse effects of gambling. In recent months, the regulator has increasingly emphasized technology-driven oversight, responsible gaming messaging and cooperation with other public bodies as online gambling becomes a more complex enforcement challenge.

No specific enforcement action was announced after the meeting. However, the talks signal that Uganda may move toward more coordinated monitoring of digital gambling content, illegal online operators and advertising compliance. For licensed operators, this could mean stricter expectations around marketing practices, consumer protection and digital compliance as the market continues to grow.