Responsible Gaming Activities with Stakeholders Country Wide.

In order to fulfil its mandate of protecting members of the public from the adverse effects of gaming, the Board sought the partnership and support of Ministry of Health (Mental Health Division) to hold a stakeholder meeting and training with Health Workers and Village Health Teams from Kiryandongo District. This activity was organised by Kiryandongo District Health Officer and Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation (TPO).

Kiryandongo is a peculiar district with refugees from various countries as well as native tribes like the Luo and Banyoro. Additionally, some of the problem gamblers that have sought the Board’s support are from Kiryandongo compelling the Board to engage health experts on gaming and its adverse effects. At the heart of this Stakeholder engagement was sharing the Board’s mandate, Responsible Gaming initiatives, train on how to handle gambling addicts as well as seek partnership from Health Workers and Village Health Teams (VHTs) in order to reduce gaming harm. The engagement had representatives from different hospitals and villages in Kiryandongo. For instance, Opok, Diika, Vumilia-Kimogoro, Panyandoli, Nyakadot, Kiryandongo, Kigumba, Apodorwa, Mutonda and Diima.

To map out the role of leaders in enhancing the Responsible Gaming engagement, the Board also had partnership discussions with the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and District Health Officer in Kiryandongo.

The Board with the support from Butabika National Referral Hospital carried out a Responsible Gaming awareness campaign among Boda Boda riders in Nakawa, Kawempe, and Makindye Division. Boda Bodas are motorcycle taxis widely used for public transportation in Uganda. Boda Boda riders often face numerous challenges including road safety risks, economic instability and social issues. One growing concern is the increasing involvement of Boda Boda riders in gaming activities in the pick-up hours of working. While gaming is considered as a form of entertainment, it can also lead to addiction and financial loss for those that may not control it, necessitating the need to create awareness among the riders.

This activity was organised by Safe Way Right Way in partnership with the Boda Boda Industry Uganda, Total Energies, Uganda Police and ROSACU (Road Safety Advocacy Coalition Uganda). The main objective for this activity was to highlight Responsible gaming initiatives, why they are important and how gaming impacts Road Safety in cases of addiction. The Responsible Gaming team interfaced with more than 850 Boda Boda riders in the three divisions of Kampala. The Board received commitment from the Boda Boda industry Uganda leadership to be ambassadors of Responsible Gaming in the country since they have more community presence with 74 Boda Boda groups.

In addition to the above, the engagement with the Boda Boda riders in Kawempe division featured in the New Vision publication as well as social media platforms of Safe Way Right Way and the New Vision online.

Besides creating awareness, the Board disseminated branded posters, stickers and Reflector jackets with Responsible Gaming messages to the Boda Boda riders. The messages were;

• · IT IS NEVER SHAMEFUL TO ADMIT THAT YOU HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM.
• · BETTING CAN BE ADDICTIVE AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY HARMFUL.
• · OKUBENTINGA KAZANYO BUZANYO SIMULIMU MANYA WOLINA OKUKOMA.
• · BETTING IS NOT FOR PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 25.
• · ONLY BET WITH WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD TO LOSE

The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) also engaged and trained key leaders in Eastern and Western Uganda on Responsible Gaming. This Responsible Gaming activity and training took place in among some of the districts that have a city status (Jinja, Soroti, Mbarara, Bushenyi and Fortportal-Kabarole). The Board envisions a gaming sector free from gambling harms.

To protect the public from the adverse effects of gaming or gaming harm, the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) with support from the Mental Health Division and Substance Abuse -Ministry of Health (MOH)interfaced with key leader.

The Board and MOH have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance initiatives that are aimed at prevention and protection of the public in the gaming sector. The main objective of this Responsible Gaming engagement was to engage the leaders on Responsible Gaming tenets and seek partnerships that will not only mitigate gambling harm but also harness a way to help those that are already addicted. Resolutions to enhance prevention, identifying problem gamblers, Counselling and treatment, protection of minors and awareness creation were shared by the leaders, and they committed to work with the Board to ensure that gambling harm is mitigated.