Kampala, Uganda: ITHUBA Uganda Limited has officially ceased operations as Uganda’s National Lottery Operator, bringing an unexpected end to a project that had been expected to generate billions of shillings in government revenue and create thousands of jobs.
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) announced in a public notice issued on July 2, 2026, that ITHUBA Uganda stopped operating on July 1, 2026.
The regulator said it is overseeing the cessation of the National Lottery operations in accordance with Section 4(j) of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap. 334, and within the applicable licensing and concession framework.
“NLGRB is managing the cessation of National Lottery operations by ITHUBA Uganda Limited under its statutory and regulatory mandate and in accordance with the applicable licence and concession framework,” the notice reads.
The Board advised players with outstanding winnings or account balances to contact ITHUBA Uganda through its official communication channels as it continues monitoring compliance with the settlement of valid claims and obligations.
“Players with outstanding claims or balances are advised to contact ITHUBA Uganda Limited through its official communication channels… while NLGRB continues to monitor compliance and the settlement of valid claims and obligations,” the regulator said.
The closure comes less than two years after ITHUBA Uganda was awarded a 10-year National Lottery operating licence in August 2023, subject to annual licensing conditions, following a competitive selection process conducted by the regulator.
At the time, the company announced an initial investment of approximately US$14 million to establish the National Lottery, with commitments to invest in technology, gaming infrastructure and local operations.
Government had projected that the National Lottery would generate about Shs87 billion annually in gaming tax revenue and Shs60 billion in non-tax revenue, with proceeds earmarked to support infrastructure development, education, healthcare and sports.
The project was also expected to create approximately 1,700 direct jobs for Ugandans, alongside numerous indirect employment opportunities across the country.
Officials had promoted the National Lottery as a sustainable mechanism for mobilising domestic resources to finance public programmes and other good causes.
The announcement also comes just weeks after ITHUBA Holdings concluded its tenure as operator of South Africa’s National Lottery, with Sizekhaya Holdings taking over the licence on June 1, 2026, following the expiry of ITHUBA’s 11-year contract.
Neither ITHUBA Uganda nor the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board has publicly disclosed the specific reasons behind the premature cessation of the company’s operations.
The regulator said it will issue further public guidance as necessary while overseeing the winding-down process.
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