Uganda gaming regulator seizes more than 370 illegal machines in October

A campaign called Operation MashineHaramu has been run by Uganda's National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), which acted alongside the Uganda Police Force. In October 2026 the board took hold of over 370 gaming machines that were operating without authorisation, spread over a number of districts, according to the board.

The first announcement came on 16 October, when the board reported taking over 170 machines in 11 districts: Ibanda, Mbarara, Kabale, Masaka, Pallisa, Butebo, Namutumba, Apac, Nwoya, Oyam, and Kole. A later update dated 29 October said that over 200 further devices had been confiscated in the Kampala Metropolitan Area, Greater KMP, Isingiro, Kibuku, Pallisa, and Lamwo, including border areas. The board put the combined total of machines taken out of circulation by the two operations at over 370.

According to the NLGRB, the outcome of the operations rested on backing from the Uganda Police Force and regional police commanders, and also on the vigilance of local leaders, whistleblowers, media partners, and community members. The board said such information was what allowed authorities to find illegal machines and to help enforcement officers working in the field.

The board said enforcement is continuing nationwide and urged the public to report suspicious gaming activity and to provide information about illegal operators, manufacturers and machine suppliers. It said the aim is to sustain the enforcement action and promote responsible gaming standards.