MBARARA — Authorities in Mbarara city have carried out an intelligence-led operation targeting illegal gaming machines, confiscating more than 50 machines across Kijungu, Kisenyi, and Kakoba.
The crackdown follows complaints from residents who say illegal machines are causing financial losses and worsening domestic conflicts.
“Young people, especially those in urban areas, have completely refused to go and work and only think of betting and taking money to these machines to make more money, but it is a lie,” said Wasswa Mulongo, a resident of Kakoba.
“I have personally experienced the frustration that comes with these machines. I have failed to make savings for myself, my wife and I got issues over the machine and betting; my money vanishes so mysteriously,” added Wilbroad Twesiime of Kisenyi.
According to Steven Tabaruka, Operations Manager at the Lottery and Gaming Regulatory Board, the operation is part of a national crackdown named “Machine Haram”, aimed at eliminating illegal gaming devices.
“Over 50 machines in Mbarara were confiscated out of about 60,000 machines confiscated across the country,” Tabaruka said.
He explained that funds recovered from the machines are remitted to the government’s consolidated fund.
“The money in the machines is not mine, not for anybody, but the Republic of Uganda. After getting a court order to carry out destruction, we take the machines to our warehouse for destruction and the money is banked to the consolidated fund,” he said.
Rwizi region Police Spokesperson Samson Kasasira noted that no arrests were made during the operation, as the machines were found under the care of employees, not the owners.
He added that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the operators.
“So far, there are no arrests because the machines impounded were found under the care of the employees, not the employers. With investigations that are going to be carried out, we will be able to identify who these employers are,” Kasasira said.
Tabaruka further added: “Using our systems, in a week or so, we are able to trace the owner. We feel we shouldn’t grab the person that has been brought to work running the machines, but in our own systems, we normally track backwards and get the owner.”
Licensed gaming in Uganda is a significant contributor to government revenue, generating about 150 billion shillings in taxes in the 2022/23 fiscal year, up from 121 billion the previous year.
