Deogratious Matovu, the manager of Vox Lounge, says that despite the extended lockdown, they kept some staff and continued paying their utility bills. He explains that most of their equipment like television sets, sound systems, lights, and workers’ uniforms were destroyed by mice.
Bars and pubs in Kampala
and surrounding areas are undergoing renovation in preparation for the
resumption of their operations
after spending
nearly two years of closure. President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni closed bars and all
places of social gatherings when he announced the nationwide lockdown in March
2020 as part of the COVID-19 containment measures.
In his new year address, president, Museveni announced the full
reopening of the economy. He said all entertainment spots would resume normal
operations on January 24th, 2022. As a result, the proprietors of the
Bars and pubs have started giving
their premises a facelift ahead of the scheduled reopening.
Our reporter
visited some popular bars and spots around Kampala and found a beehive of
activities. Some of the workers could be seen
painting the buildings, others testing the machines while others were fixing
new furniture.
Deogratious Matovu, the
manager of Vox Lounge, says that despite the
extended lockdown, they kept some staff and continued
paying their utility bills. He explains that most
of their equipment like television sets, sound systems, lights, and workers’ uniforms were destroyed by
mice.
He says that they
need not less than Shillings 15million to replace the furniture and carry out
renovation works.
Luganda//Cue in; “tuli mu repairs…
Cue out…nti tubadde tetuyingiza.”//
Daniel Lwasa, the business manager at the Iconic Club Nexus in Najeera explained that the
lockdown hit them hard as the bar proprietor succumbed to COVID-19.
He says that they trimmed down staff from 67 to
only 20 people to
keep the restaurant running.
He explains that they need
about Shillings 100 million for repairs, renovations, and replacements of
spoilt equipment like pizza machines, warmers, and sound systems among others as well as making new innovations like the introduction of artificial turf.
//Cue in; “for nexus as it is…
Cue out…it is business.”//
Our reporter found
workers at Kush Lounge along John Babiiha avenue repairing and fixing furniture,
trimming and slashing grass, and painting in preparation for the reopening.
George Okitela, the manager Kush Lounge, says that at the time of the lockdown, the facility had just opened. “To keep the hope alive from the 80 staff we
kept only two for the restaurant to receive and prepare online orders,” he said.
Okitela said that they
are getting ready for the reopening and most of their customers are calling to
check on whether the facility is coming back in business. “Many of our equipment are spoilt but we are
soliciting money from all possible sources to get them back to operation,” Okitela said.
Dennis Kasule Ssebunya
Freelancer