Uganda authorities seize 169 illegal gaming machines in West Nile
The operation was conducted under the “Operation Mashine Haramu” initiative.
Uganda.- Authorities in Uganda’s West Nile sub-region have confiscated 169 illegal gaming machines as part of an ongoing enforcement campaign against unlicensed gambling operations.
The operation, conducted under the “Operation Mashine Haramu” initiative, involved joint teams from the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) and the Uganda Police Force. According to the regulator, the seizures were made across multiple locations, including Arua City, Maracha, Koboko, Terego, Madi-Okollo, Nebbi, Paidha, Pakwach, Dei and Panyamur.
Officials said the latest enforcement exercise also covered trading centres and border communities such as Arivu, Ombai, Olubu, Ochidri, Nyaravuru, Goli and Nsombo, where unlicensed gaming machines were allegedly operating without regulatory approval.
Westnile 📌 #OperationMashineHaramu is not about to stop!
— National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (@lgrb_uganda) May 22, 2026
Our enforcement team, working with @PoliceUg, has confiscated 169 illegal gaming machines in the areas of Arua city, Maracha, Koboko, odramachako, Alaba, Ombai, Arivu, Olubu, Ochidri, Terego, Madi-okollo, Bodo,… pic.twitter.com/0WxoSXGcza
The West Nile seizures add to a series of recent actions carried out in Kampala, Eastern Uganda, Western Uganda, Masaka and Lira under the same enforcement campaign. In previous statements, the NLGRB confirmed that more than 6,000 illegal gaming machines had already been impounded nationwide during Operation Mashine Haramu.
Officials added that enforcement operations will continue across different regions, with operators found violating regulations facing confiscation of equipment and possible legal action. The NLGRB urged members of the public to report suspected illegal gaming activities to support ongoing compliance efforts.
