“The message is clear: illegal gaming operations will not be tolerated. We are committed to sanitizing the gaming industry and ensuring that all activities are conducted within the confines of the law,” said the Manager Operations at the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board. “Operation ‘Mashine Haramu’ will sting – and it will continue until every illegal machine is removed from our communities.”

In a decisive and coordinated enforcement effort, the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), working alongside officers from the Uganda Police Force, executed a successful enforcement operation targeting illegal gaming in the areas of Mpigi District.

The operation, which took place earlier this week, was met with strong support from the local community. As enforcement officers moved in to confiscate illegal machines, residents could be heard cheering and chanting “mubitwale, mubitwale”, a Luganda phrase meaning “take them away.” This vocal community support underscores the public’s growing frustration with the negative impact of unregulated gaming activities in their neighborhoods.

Over 20 illegal gaming machines were confiscated, and multiple premises found to be operating in violation of the law were sealed off. This operation is part of a broader crackdown on the manufacture, supply, assembly, and use of unauthorized gaming machines across Uganda.

This enforcement activity was witnessed and extensively covered by several leading media houses, including NTV Uganda, NBS Television, Bukedde TV, the Daily Monitor, and others. Their presence underscores the national significance of Operation “Mashine Haramu” and reflects the growing public and media interest in the crackdown on illegal gaming activities. The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board appreciates the media’s role in amplifying awareness and ensuring transparency in regulatory operations.