OPERATION  “MASHINE HARAMU”: NLGRB Seizes Over 20 Illegal Gaming Machines In Western Uganda  

By Stephen K. Galiwango

In their efforts to fight  illegal Gambling , the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) recently had an operation in Western Uganda and seized about 28 gaming machines deemed illegal.

The National wide operation targeted unlicensed operators who had  set up gaming  machines without proper authorization from the regulatory board.

The past  year 2025  witnessed similar crack downs in the capital and in lesser-known towns across the country, painting a picture of a regulator mounting a sustained offensive on the matter as part of a broader operation known as “Operation Mashine Haramu”.

The CEO of the regulatory board, Dennis Mudene Ngabirano said, “The logic behind ‘Operation Mashine Haramu’ signals a shift toward sustained and visible enforcement beyond the ad hoc crackdowns.

The timing may reflect a readiness (in resources, intelligence, and partnerships) to carry out a more ambitious nationwide operation. We have the support of Uganda Police as well as a team of investigators attached to the Board from CID.” 

“However, revenue generation is not the primary focus. Our major focus is to protect Ugandans from the adverse effects of gambling.” He said

Illegal gambling machines and dens often target low-income communities and the young population who are easily lured by the premise of quick wins and instant riches but instead end up in a cycle of losses.

Numerous studies have shown that gambling addiction has serious effects at the community level, with vices like increased crime, reduced productivity, and family breakdowns.

The regulatory board is encouraging Ugandans to verify operators’ licenses on its website and report suspicious activity through a toll-free hotline.

What’s more, licensed operators are expected to engage in corporate social responsibility, such as community development projects, and to implement responsible gaming measures on their platforms. Such measures include limits on betting amounts and self-exclusion programs for gamblers.