By Eric Mabuza Jnr
Mr. Denis Mudene, the CEO National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board
Members of the Press and;
My Colleagues from ITHUBA Uganda
Allow me to first and foremost welcome you to this very beautiful day, that carries with it the blessings of divine providence from God.
I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to all of you on this momentous occasion, of the media launch of the Uganda National Lottery.
It is indeed an honor to host you here at the premises of ITHUBA Uganda, serving as our Headquarters, we also have regional offices in Mbarara, Gulu and Mbale. Your presence today is a testament to the crucial role you play
in Uganda’s journey towards achieving socio-economic transformation.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like for Uganda to have its own National Lottery? A platform that not only provides excitement and entertainment but also contributes to the socio-economic development of our nation? Today, I am here to share how ITHUBA Uganda is ready to bringing this vision to life, to change and transform lives.
When our sister company in South Africa won the bid to operate the South African National Lottery in June 2015, we set out to transform the lottery landscape. Today, I am thrilled to share how our experiences and learnings will shape the future of gaming and social upliftment in Uganda.
Our journey in South Africa has been marked by exceptional growth and success. We reinvigorated the South African National Lottery, making it the top-performing lottery in Africa. Through our management and operations, every ticket sold generates a significant contribution towards good causes that support the social and economic development of the country. Over the last nine years, our contributions have amassed more than $680 Million dollars. These accomplishments demonstrate our ability to generate substantial funds for social upliftment, and we are committed to replicating this success in Uganda.
At the heart of ITHUBA are our core values: Ubuntu, Humility, Integrity, Tenacity, and Best Practice. These values drive our operations and are reflected in our contributions to society. We are committed to applying these principles in Uganda, fostering a culture of integrity and community development.
As we embark on this new journey in Uganda, we are dedicated to offering games that will resonate with all Ugandans over the age of 18. Our commitment to responsible gaming is paramount, and we will ensure that all our initiatives promote this important message. We encourage our participants to play responsibly, it is only a game.
The impact of a National Lottery on Uganda will be profound. Lotteries are known for their ability to generate significant funds for good causes. In South Africa, our contributions have supported education, health, and community development projects. In Uganda, we aim to achieve the same, directing funds to the National Lotteries Gaming and Regulatory board to assign these funds to support initiatives that will benefit the entire nation. Sports infrastructure has already been ear marked as the first beneficiary of funds generated by the Uganda National Lottery in preparation for Afcon 2027. The Uganda National lottery will not only provide entertainment and excitement but also contribute to the socio-economic development of Uganda.
As we continue to excel and innovate, ITHUBA is rapidly establishing itself as a top global lottery operator. Our consistent record of growth and innovation has set new industry benchmarks, and we are eager to establish Uganda as a leader in the lottery sector.
Participants will be able to purchase tickets for the Uganda National Lottery through a variety of convenient channels. We have been on boarding retailers across the country to become authorized retailers. Additionally, we are excited to collaborate with our partners, namely Airtel and MTN, to allow ticket sales to all participants through their mobile phones. Participants can also purchase tickets on the Uganda National Lottery website, which will offer exclusive games. Furthermore, tickets can be purchased by dialling *278#, providing easy access for all.
As I warp up, I want you all, Ugandans, to know ITHUBA Uganda is poised to create a new chapter in Uganda’s history with the introduction of the National Lottery. We will apply our best practices to ensure its success and firmly place Uganda on the map as a leading lottery operator. Together with our partners and the media, we will dream big and achieve even bigger.
Let’s Dream, Play and WIN
Eric Mabuza Jnr is the ITHUBA Executive Member.
