Mulungu Beach: Fish, alcohol, drugs plunge into religious beliefs

Mulungu Beach where fish, alcohol, drugs plunge into religion and traditional beliefs  Mulungu Beach, also commonly known as Kabaka Beach, is located in Munyonyo, next to Speke Resort Hotel. 

Commonly known for cheap fried and boiled (ekibelo) fish, Mulungu is an open place for everybody. It hosts all classes of people with different intentions.

When it comes to having fun, this is the place to be. Sitting on about five acres, the place subdivided into sections for all manners of enjoyment. Here, there is space literally for everything. 

There is an area, for drinking and having fish, another for frying and boiling the fish, while there is also space for those who come to buy fish for home consumption.   An open-space car washing bay separates the fish-related activity area from another open space where revelers sit to have other kinds of fun. 

For instance, those who sit in open space indulge in chewing mairungi, while others open engage in smoking marijuana. Shisha is not outlawed here while there is also a corner for those who smoke pipes. 

It is a happening place Monday to Monday, where revelers are found relaxing, enjoying and everybody minds their own business.  Musicians, business people and students are the most customers. 

ARRIVAL 

On arrival at the entrance, waiters and waitresses in different colours of aprons welcome the dear guests. They then ask the guests whether they have come specifically for fish or booze.

The waiters and waitresses sometimes have to run after cars till the car has parked before taking the customer's order.  As competition in all businesses, they always fight to make sure at least every reveler is served with something. 

They ask for what one wants but each group has a plastic chair that comes with a drink or fish.  No one is given a chair without any order.  Some people remain in their cars; others get chairs and sit next to their cars as they play loud music as thou competing with other groups. 

There are groups of boys who sit next to the water, always smoking marijuana, chewing mairungi and smoking cigarettes.  Hawkers, business people  In the open space, there are lots of women vendors who sell different cigarettes, coffee berries, chewing gum, mairungi wrapped in fresh banana leaves, alcohol in plastic bottles and other quick snacks such as biscuits. 

Next to them are other businesspeople who roast chicken, goat meat and beef. A stick of roasted beef goes for sh1,000, that of chicken for sh3,500 while that of goat meat is sold at sh2,000. 

Mulungu is a host to hundreds of hawkers who sell at types of merchandise ranging from electric appliances, mobile phone accessories, clothing, jewelry, and many others items. 

In one, flags can be seen flying high and below them dreadlocked men and women dancing away the evening to reggae music.  People start coming as early as midday and leave late passed mid-night. 

Whereas some come to enjoy what is served at the beach, others come seeking divine and supernatural intervention. Next to the beach are traditional healers' shrines as well as a church. 

At shrines, those seeking help are seen being immersed in water, a process of healing of sorts. Others come with jerrycans and carry home what they say is ‘holy water' that fetched from a specific corner of the Lake Victoria. 

Just next to the church is a Shisha smoking area and some Umbrellas shielding liquors. Consumers sit on the church verandah as they enjoy their evening.  Some people have called Mulungu a sex haven, a claim that is difficult to prove. 

At times, Police, army, ministry and organisation cars frequent the place under the guise of visiting the washing bay area. However, these leave earlier than 11:00 pm. 

The place has management, which takes care of it regarding cleanliness among others. On Saturday and Sunday, every entrant is charged sh2,000 and on Sunday is themed family day. 

Hygiene is also worrying. When it comes to night, revelers ease themselves in the water and grasses as the public paid-for toilets are always locked.