Uganda's National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) removed more than 370 illegal gaming machines from circulation during October 2026, in two waves of raids carried out with the Uganda Police Force.
The operation runs under the Board's #OperationMashineHaramu campaign, which targets unlicensed machines placed in shops, kiosks and roadside stalls, often in places where no age check happens at all.
Where the machines were taken
The first wave, announced on 16 October, covered 11 districts: Ibanda, Mbarara, Kabale, Masaka, Pallisa, Butebo, Namutumba, Apac, Nwoya, Oyam and Kole. More than 170 machines were seized.
The second wave, reported on 29 October, moved into the Kampala Metropolitan Area and Greater KMP, along with Isingiro, Kibuku, Pallisa and Lamwo, including border areas. That sweep accounted for more than 200 further devices.
Taken together, the two operations pulled over 370 machines out of the market in a single month.
Who the regulator credited
The NLGRB pointed to the Uganda Police Force and regional police commanders for the operational muscle, but it also named local leaders, whistleblowers, media partners and ordinary community members. Their tip-offs are what told enforcement officers where to look.
That detail is worth noting. Machine enforcement is hard precisely because the devices are small, mobile and easy to move overnight. A regulator working from a desk in Kampala cannot find a machine in a trading centre in Lamwo without someone telling it where that machine is.
What it means for licensed operators
For operators holding a Ugandan licence, a crackdown on unlicensed machines is good news rather than bad. Every illegal device removed is a competitor that was not paying tax, not running age checks and not carrying the compliance costs that licensed businesses carry.
It also tells you something about the Board's current posture. The NLGRB is being visibly active, and an active regulator tends to look as closely at its own licensees as it does at the informal market.
The Board has asked the public to keep reporting suspicious gaming activity, including information about illegal operators, manufacturers and machine suppliers. The supply chain, not just the end device, is clearly in scope.
Frequently asked questions
What is Operation Mashine Haramu?
It is the NLGRB's ongoing enforcement campaign against unlicensed gaming machines in Uganda, run jointly with the Uganda Police Force. The name translates roughly as "forbidden machine".
How many machines were seized in October 2026?
More than 370 in total: over 170 in the 16 October sweep across 11 districts, and over 200 in the 29 October sweep centred on Kampala.
Is it legal to operate a gaming machine in Uganda?
Only under a licence issued by the NLGRB. Machines placed without that authorisation are liable to be confiscated, which is exactly what these operations did.
How do I report an illegal gaming machine in Uganda?
The NLGRB asks the public to report suspicious gaming activity directly to the Board, including details of operators, manufacturers and suppliers.
