The Ministry of Health has urged urgent action over gaming addiction, a condition that, while recognised internationally as a mental disorder, remains largely unaddressed in Uganda’s health policies.
The call was made by Dr. Hasfa Lukwata, Head of the Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at the Ministry of Health.
Although gambling has long been part of Ugandan society, the rapid growth of sports betting is now pushing the issue into public health territory.
Speaking during an interview at the Ministry of Health headquarters, Lukwata acknowledged that the Ministry has only recently begun to align efforts with the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), the body overseeing the gaming sector.
“Initially, we viewed them with some skepticism, but we’ve come to realise that our objectives are similar especially when it comes to protecting young people and promoting responsible gaming,” she admitted.
Lukwata noted that despite this alignment, Uganda still lacks dedicated laws and policies to address gambling addiction, unlike those in place for drug or alcohol abuse.
According to her, this policy vacuum is largely due to the absence of reliable data. The ministry has limited information on gambling related disorders, primarily because many individuals suffering from addiction do not seek help from formal health facilities.
“We know it’s a disorder, and it requires treatment, care, and prevention, without national studies and consistent reporting, our hands are tied when it comes to advocating for laws or policy frameworks,” she said.
Recent small-scale studies conducted in schools and universities have hinted at the problem’s depth revealing patterns of depression and anxiety.
As for treatment, the situation is even more precarious. Gambling addiction has no pharmaceutical cure and must be addressed through psychological therapy and behavioural interventions.
Dr Lukwata says that Butabika Hospital, Uganda’s national referral hospital for mental illness, does offer support through its Alcohol and Drug Unit, though its services are not specifically tailored to gambling disorders.
“Most people suffering from gambling addiction are either self-managing or seeking help informally through religious groups and community elders,” Dr. Lukwata said.
In response to the growing concern, Dr. Lukwata says that the Ministry has started preliminary collaborations with other agencies including early-stage partnerships with the NLGRB, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
These collaborations, according to her, aim to raise awareness and implement preventive measures, especially targeting youth both in and out of school.
However, she noted that the Ministry still faces significant constraints in launching formal public health campaigns.
“To run a real campaign one that lasts at least three months and targets specific groups you need serious funding,” Dr. Lukwata said.
She also admitted that at the moment, they are simply integrating gambling into broader addiction discussions, which also include drugs, alcohol, and even internet addiction.
Despite these challenges, the Ministry is taking steps to strengthen mental health infrastructure.
Efforts are underway to regulate and professionalize the country’s psychological support services, a move Dr. Lukwata believes will enable more effective responses to behavioural health issues, including gambling.
The health implications of gambling, according to Dr. Lukwata, extend beyond mental well-being.
She noted that the stress and anxiety triggered by gambling particularly the uncertainty of outcomes can lead to addiction and psychological harm.
“There may not be a direct accident or physical harm, but the internal toll on the body is real,” she said.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Lukwata called for a united, cross sectoral approach to tackle what she described as a slow growing crisis with long term consequences.
“We cannot afford to ignore this. The future of our young people and our national development depends on our ability to respond to gambling addiction with urgency, compassion, and collaboration,” Dr. Lukwata concluded.