The American-owned Grand Casino has at last received permission from the Finance Ministry to start operations. The casino was registered in July 2003 and supposed to receive its operating licence two months later in September, but that was delayed through the lack of the appropriate law. In early December 2004, the Finance Ministry informed Casino Grande Uganda Ltd that it would receive its licence when the Casino and Gambling Bill 2004 was enacted.

By the end of January 2005 Casino Grande was petitioning the High Court, claiming that its rights to engage in gainful business were being violated and that compensation should be paid for its economic losses. The company had already spent around US$2 million on equipment plus the additional costs of expensive rental at the Crested Towers building.

In the last two months 250 local staff have been trained to work at the gaming and pool betting business, with another 70 due to be employed when the casino opens. To date the Casino and Gambling Bill 2004, which is in its final stages and will impose more stringent regulations on gaming and lotteries operators, has still not been enacted. However, in a letter dated March 14 to Jael Ltd, the new owners of the casino company, Grand Casino has been given the green light by the Finance Ministry to commence operations on April 15. The Kampala Casino, the only other casino in Uganda’s capital, is about to get some competition. (E-03.22.05)

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