Ugandan youth cautioned against gambling
He said gambling is a highly addictive and morally incapacitating habit, which has ruined the potential and future aspirations of thousands of young people, the reason why it has to be shunned by every person of sound judgment.
Young people share a group photo moment during the workshop on gambling at Sharing Youth Centre, Nsambya, in Makindye Division, on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
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A priest of the Catholic missionary society of the White Fathers (also known as the Missionaries of Africa), Fr. Josephat Diyuo, has asked young people, particularly the teenagers in schools, to refrain from gambling and other opportunistic habits of getting quick and easy money.
He said gambling is a highly addictive and morally incapacitating habit, which has ruined the potential and future aspirations of thousands of young people, the reason why it has to be shunned by every person of sound judgment.
As an alternative, Diyuo encouraged the youth to engage in productive work, which he said would give them sustainable income, even if it was modest.
Fr. Josephat Diyou of the Catholic Missionary Society of the White Fathers speaking to the youth during the workshop on gambling at Sharing Youth Centre, Nsambya, in Makindye Division, on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
“Gambling is one of the biggest problems of our time. It is sheer slavery of mind which impedes the progress of our young people and make them take wrong choices. They get involved in it with the hope of hitting a jackpot, but when they don’t succeed, they become utterly frustrated, disappointed and restless. The architects of the trade are powerful businesspeople who even mislead and corrupt politicians. The owners of betting companies are commonly foreigners, so they contribute to the poverty of our people because the money they make is sent abroad!
“Please invest in your skills, not gambling. Pray, study and work, and you will succeed. Invest in your talents because they are your wealth. Your future is in your hands, and make it count. Know that there are many other ways of getting rich. So please, empower yourself, and you will discover the jackpot in a slow but dignified way,” said Diyou.
He made the remarks during a special workshop on gambling, which the Missionaries of Africa organised for young people at Sharing Youth Centre, Nsambya, in Makindye Division on May 16, 2026.
Diyou put it to the young people to avoid being obsessed with unethical accumulation of money and encouraged them to embrace dignified means of income.
“Please be certain you can get money in a dignified and responsible way. Avoid the get-rich-quick mentality. This will help you to mature, work and get big money without getting crazy. Your respect will be boosted, and you will enjoy yourself,” he added.
The convention/workshop would nonetheless not have been all that interesting without the testimony of Daphne Nalubega, a self-proclaimed betting-machine operator, who blamed gambling companies for duping and fleecing young Ugandans of their hard-earned money.
Young people being sensitized about gambling during the workshop at Sharing Youth Centre Nsambya. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
“The disadvantages of gambling are far much more than the advantages. I have seen many students losing their school fees at betting halls. Eventually, their opportunities are also frustrated. Many of the betting company owners are also dishonest. Sometimes they play technological mischief and make the betting machines give results in their favour. I also always shed tears when I see security people coming to the betting houses and arresting young people during the daytime as the owners of the business look on without any sympathy,” said Daphne.
Missionaries of Africa appreciated
Stephen Esimu, a student from Kampala International University (KIU), appreciated the Missionaries of Africa for sensitising fellow young people on the dangers of betting.
“It is true; we young people have been drawn into the vice of gambling even much more than ever. Of course, we see it as a way of getting rich-quick. Today I have realised the risks and futile consequences of the habit. I am now an anti-gambling ambassador. I will refrain from the habit and also tell fellow young people to do the same,” he said.
Evelyne Kiconco, another student, said the convention had helped her to know the tricks of the betting operators and the futility of engaging in the practice.