Woolworths Launch: You Missed Nothing By Not Being There!

-- Timothy Bukumunhe gives an account of events at the launch.
- The venue
Workers House, September 12
- The occasion
The launching of the international clothes chain, Woolworths.
- Most Memorable events of the evening
When the fire alarm went off, nobody ran for the nearest exit but rather, they pressed themselves firmly against the bar as they scouted about for the nibbles tray. At one point, some guests were seen fighting for pieces of muchomo.
- The crowd
Enid Byaniyma, Lawyer, Masembe Kanyerezi, UMI’s Dr. Margaret Kigozi, UMA’s Dr. William Kalema, Olive Kigongo, Casino’s Bob Kabonero, James Mulwana, Elly Karuhanga, Dr. and Robbie Clark, Media Plus guru, Bart Kakooza, Barclays Bank MD, Frank Griffiths, AfricaOne’s Ada Magezi, Alliance Air’s Alice Katti and hubby, probe man Alan Shinoubi and wife Robina. Radio One’s Maria Kiwanuka, United Assurance boss, Gary Corbett and German Ambassador, Klaus Holderbaum.
- The celebrity count
Rather low on the celebrity count, but Juliet Nagawa who took time off from reading Prime News on WBS was there, ex-Miss MTN Natasha Sinayobe hanging off the arms of a much-older-for-her muzungu, Open Up presenter, Irene Kulabako, Elvis and Julie Wavammuno. Capital FM’s Alex Ndawula and other half Dru.
- The paparazzi count
New Vision’s Kalungi Kabuye, James Akena and The Monitor’s Patrick Koma-kech were snapping away occasionally annoying some of the guests, while the lights from WBS’ Showtime presenter Marcus Kiryowa flood lit the place. The Monitor’s Evelyn Kiapi had trouble getting past the door (something to do with not having a business card) was there too doing her bit and Chris Eritu of WBS.
- Noticeable absentees
Guest of honour Edward Rugamayo, designer Sylvia Owori, Miss Uganda Rhema Nakuya, former mayoral aspirant Wasswa Birigwa.
- Who took centre stage
The bar did! Most people thronged round the bar and stayed there once whispers went round that booze was in short supply.
- Length of queue to a drink
Waiting time for a drink was more than a good 10 minutes.
- The drink
All drinks within reason were on the house. Tusker, Bell, Club, Nile, Castle, red and white plus an assortment of whiskeys for the general masses.
- On the canapé tray
The nibbles, which were ferried up from the Cannan Restaurant at Uganda House were bland to say the least. The sticks of muchomo were dry and lacked taste.
- The sounds:
The DJ did his best to keep things warm playing some 80’s soul classics until his equipment decided to jack in for a period of time while Capital DJ, Christine Mawadri who was the MC for the evening, screeched out inaudible utterances during the Arapapa fashion show.
- What everybody was talking about
The disorganisation of the launch and where the chief guest, Edward Rugumayo was. Would Mayor Ssebbana Kizito complain about the noise since the event went past the 10:00pm watershed he is trying to implement, would there really be no taxi’s the following day –– Census day and it’s time to go to a better party at The Venue in Garden City.
- Wrap up time
10:00pm as most of the noticeable guests left before the stand in guest of honour had cut the ribbon to declare the store open and bored that the event took over an hour to get underway and because the bar had run dry.
- What guests thought of the launch
A total bore