Not every big-bodied person at bar entrance is a bouncer - head of bouncers federation

The Uganda Umbrella for Bouncers Association (UUBA) and Bouncers Association Uganda (BAU) are the bouncers bodies known for guarding city tycoons, celebrities, bars and the wealthy in Kampala.

However, the stereotype is that bouncers are not trained enough to handle people and due to that, some lives have been lost at their hands.

A bouncer, Troy Wamala, was sentenced to 14 years in jail for the 2018 murder of singer Mowzey Radio.

In an interview with The Kampala Sun,  Umar Bulega, the president of the newly-formed Uganda National Bouncers Federation (UNBF), disclosed that with the help of Gen. Salim Saleh and Brig.Gen. Christopher Damulira (director for crime intelligence), UUBA and BAU have federated under UNBF.

Bulega said under the federation, they will regulate the activities of the bouncers to ensure they comply to set standards so as to change the perception the society has of them.

He said the image of bouncers was tarnished in 2015 when it was alleged that a bouncer led to the death of singer AK.47.

"AK47 was not killed by a bouncer, but rather a drunkard in the bar, and the same applies to the likes of legendary singer Radio and others," said Bulega.

He blamed the negative perception about bouncers on the disorganisation in the profession and lack of a body that can act as the voice for the bouncers.

Bulega said UNBF has a hierarchy of leaders that have committed themselves to making the profession take shape.

How bouncers are recruited
According to Bulega, the men and women that are working in the bouncers' associations, especially BAU, are security pesonnel who returned from Somalia and other security organs like Saracen, as well as sports people such as bodybuilders, and boxers that first undergo training before they are allowed to work.

"When returnees come to Uganda, we recruit them as bouncers so that they earn a living out of the profession and also avoid criminal cases that can result from their idleness," Bulega clarified.

 Fighting violence among bouncers in bars

Bulega told The Kampala Sun that the genesis of fracas in bars is unprofessionalism among the bouncers that are not trained and don’t know how to handle people.

"One day, I went to one of the bars in Kampala and found a bouncer who barked at me with no reason. As a professional, I interrogated him to find out the company he was working under, but found out he was hired by the bar from the gym. He had no experience," he said. 

Bulega continued to warn that since the federation has been formed, they are going to walk from bar to bar, hunting for those criminals hiding in their profession and anyone they will find culpable shall be handed over to the Police.

Who is a true bouncer recognised by the federation

According to Bulega, a true bouncer must have an identification card that bears his name, the company he works for and must wear a uniform that shows that he belongs to a an association of bouncers.

“Not all fat and big-bodied people you see at the bar entrances are professionals. Some go to the gym and acquire the body you see. Others eat a lot and exercise on a daily to acquire the body. The Uganda National Bouncers Federation considers bouncers under UUBA and BAU as having the adequate training on how to handle people and calm their temper.”   

Bulega emphasised that bouncers are not allowed to carry guns in the bars, but rather should find a way to handle their guests in the bars by talking to them well.

He said bouncers should be straight to the point when informing customers about rules that govern the premises they guard.