By Ismail Bategeka
MASINDI: Following the increased cases of criminality in the district, the Masindi district security committee has resolved to withdraw the binary gaming machines from the owners in the rural areas.
Mr. Kirya Moses, the Masindi district council speaker told ugreports that his council has been informed by the Masindi Resident District Commissioner Emmy Ngabirano that some security measures set by the district security committee needed council’s involvement as a commitment to fight insecurity in the district.
During the council sitting recently, the councillors attributed the increasing cases of crimes in the district to the binary gaming machines both in urban and rural areas.
‘’The binary gaming machines are on increase both in rural and urban areas, most youth spend their time on machines thus increasing cases of criminality in the district,’’ councillors stressed.
Ngabirano directed the councillors to transverse throughout the trading centres and withdraw the binary gambling machines since they are not licenced to operate in rural areas.
‘’You shouldn’t even inform me after confiscating the binary gambling machines in rural areas, because they are not licensed by the Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board to operate in rural areas,’’ said Ngabirano.
However, the Masindi district council jointly with the security committee passed a resolution to recall all binary gambling machines in the district and assess their registration status.
‘’Effective June we shall have discussed it in the security committee, we shall get all the binary machines and put them at Masindi CPS where the owners will come to pick them with authorization of operation letter from Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board,’’ said Ngabirano.
Mr. Tumwesige Timothy the district councillor representing Budongo sub county told council that the implementation of different laws made by sub counties have failed hence increased crimes.
“We have laws in our sub counties restricting gambling and early drinking of alcohol but they have not been enforced,’’ he said.
Mr. Wahid Babyesiza, the district councillor representing Labongo sub-county stresses that there are more than six binary gaming machines in his sub county which are indoor to beat security.
‘’There are six binary gaming machines in my sub county, the owners have curtains on the door, you may think it’s someone’s house, yet a business, and that’s how they beat security,’’ said Babyesiza.
Mr. Byaruhanga Cosmas the Masindi district LCV Chairperson told ugreports that the rate of increased insecurity in the district is alarming and there is a need for collaboration between security committee and district council to reduce these crimes.
Byaruhanga attributes the increased cases of criminality in the district due to the unregulated binary gambling machines saying that some people have lost their properties to these machines.
‘’These crimes have just increased, and the gambling has made people poorer, I have seen people who have sold their land due to gambling something making them poorer,’’ he stressed.
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