Takeaways

• Esports Uganda CEO Israel Kyarisiima and Federation President Omara met WekaMawe Advisory founder Kaan Bulakeri in Dakar, Senegal.
• The engagement took place on the sidelines of the Sports Betting West Africa+ Summit and GEFA 2026, with potential opportunities in partnerships, commercial networks and industry development.
• No formal partnership or commercial commitments have been publicly confirmed, with further details expected following official confirmation.

Uganda’s esports industry is exploring new international opportunities following an engagement between Esports Uganda CEO Israel Kyarisiima, Federation President Omara and Kaan Bulakeri, founder of WekaMawe Advisory, an Africa-focused iGaming consultancy.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Sports Betting West Africa+ Summit and GEFA 2026 in Dakar, Senegal, bringing together Uganda’s esports leadership and expertise from across Africa’s gaming and betting industry.

The engagement could open avenues for strategic cooperation, commercial partnerships and increased international visibility for Uganda’s growing esports and gaming ecosystem.

Exploring Opportunities for Uganda’s Gaming Industry

WekaMawe Advisory works with gaming operators, suppliers and technology providers seeking to enter and expand across African markets. Its areas of expertise include commercial strategy, market entry, partnership development, product localisation and industry representation.

Engaging with an advisory firm focused on Africa’s gaming industry presents an opportunity for Esports Uganda to explore how international networks and industry expertise could contribute to the development of the country’s esports sector.

Under the leadership of CEO Israel Kyarisiima and Federation President Omara, the engagement signals an interest in strengthening international connections and identifying opportunities that could benefit players, event organisers, technology providers, sponsors and young digital entrepreneurs.

However, details of any formal partnership or specific commitments arising from the meeting have not yet been confirmed.

Beyond Gaming: Building a Digital Economy

Esports extends beyond competitive gaming, with links to technology, digital entertainment, content creation, event management, sponsorship and youth entrepreneurship.

For Uganda, building relationships with international industry players could help expand access to commercial networks, technical expertise and potential investment opportunities.

The Dakar engagement comes as African gaming markets attract interest from businesses looking to reach new audiences and explore opportunities across the continent.

Uganda’s challenge and opportunity lie in developing an ecosystem that enables young people to participate not only as consumers of digital entertainment, but also as players, creators, organisers, technology innovators and entrepreneurs.

Stronger industry connections could play a role in supporting this ambition, alongside investment in talent development, infrastructure and sustainable commercial models.

Dakar Engagement Could Open New Doors

The meeting between Esports Uganda’s leadership and Kaan Bulakeri provides an opportunity to explore possible areas of cooperation between Uganda’s esports sector and an advisory firm with an Africa-focused gaming industry outlook.

While no formal agreement or commercial commitments have been publicly confirmed, the engagement highlights the importance of international networking as Uganda seeks to expand its presence in Africa’s esports and gaming economy.

For Esports Uganda, strengthening international relationships and exploring commercial opportunities could help position the country to participate more actively in the continent’s evolving digital entertainment industry.

Further details on any potential partnership and its scope are expected to follow official confirmation.