In Masaka District, a joint task force of the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board and the Uganda Police Force arrested Mwesigwa Patricia, a bar attendant at Namirembe Landing Site, for operating gaming machines without a licence from the Board.
Acting on community tip-offs and intelligence gathered by the enforcement team, officers launched a targeted search at the suspect’s place of work. Upon arrival, officers found several individuals actively engaging with gaming machines that were set up within the bar premises. The venue, although appearing to operate as a casual entertainment establishment, was discovered to be facilitating unregulated gaming operations without any licensing or authorization from the Board.
Mwesigwa Patricia was operating betting and illegal slot machines in contravention of the gaming law, which regulates all forms of gaming activities in Uganda. Similarly, the premises were not registered, nor had they been approved by the Board for any gaming related business.
By operating unlicensed machines, individuals like Patricia not only endanger punters/ players but also rob the country of lawful revenue and distort the competitive environment for licensed operators who follow due process.
Mwesigwa Patricia, was remanded to Luzira prison on charges of making gaming available for use and providing other facilities for gaming or betting that contravenes with the Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap. 334.
This arrest is a clear testament to the power of community engagement and intelligence-led enforcement. LGRB continues to receive critical tip-offs from concerned citizens, local leaders, and whistleblowers, which have been instrumental in the success of Operation Mashine Haramu.
We call upon members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or unlicensed gaming activities in their areas.
