Lido beach resurrects
Oct 01, 2004
LIDO Beach in Entebbe recently regained life. Pumped up with picnic libido, the once serene and reserved place for family day outs is now a place of flurry activities.
By Pidson Kareire
LIDO Beach in Entebbe recently regained life. Pumped up with picnic libido, the once serene and reserved place for family day outs is now a place of flurry activities.
Every sunday evening, several “Kampalans†as well as Entebbe dwellers throng the beach, which had sometime back lost its glory and “eat happy†as they normally yell in Luganda, “Mwana tuzze kulya happy ku beach.â€
As waves crush onto the shore and bring a cool soothing breeze around, the crème de la crème of Kampala’s beauties litter the sandy shore, most cast sleazy hugs among themselves.
Moving in droves, they roam the shores, feel good and enjoy.
All the folks who frequent Kampala night spots find their way to Lido beach on Sundays and fill the place to capacity. They eat, drink, chat and dance.
Popular DJs are imported from kampala to spin discs. Sunday boredom is determinedly defeated and because of monotonous visits to other places, the beach provides this opportunity for change. Couples swim in lake water after a sumptuous fried tilapia, while others take advantage and act promiscuously in water.
Today, the beach provides a favourable aura for romantic evenings and all the musicians commanded by their cult fame flock this sandy beach in the name of pleasure hunting. There is no entrance fee, but drinks as well as eats, are damn expensive. You pat with sh8,000 to have whole fried tilapia, while soft drinks go for sh1,000 and beers go for sh2,000.
A fleet of bike riders dressed like cowboys come in. entrance is free as long as you buy drinks when the new vision visited.
At the edge of the lake, is a warning printed in red, “you swim at your own risk.†Despite the warning, many youths swim in the waters and some who have probably mastered the art, swim as far as 300 meters deep.
One wonders how this place, which looks like an isolated isle attracts many revellers. Like other entertainment places in Kampala, Lido Beach has several pool tables, DStv screen and sports facilities. Volleyball is the most cherished sport after swimming in the surf filled lake water.
When darkness ensues, people come out of water and then the small compound of the L-shaped building acts as a dancing hall. DJs and local musicians are compelled to perform and moments later everyone starts dancing.
The music comprises of oldies and latest.
However, the place lacks parking facilities. Harassment of UTODA guys, also makes it difficult for people who use public means because they do not want taxis from outside Entebbe to carry passengers. This makes it so expensive, leaving the place to “my cars†or people who can a afford special hire.
Amazingly, the crowd that go to this beach is a selected crème of people who like “happening,†no pick pocketing and cell phone disappearance even beer lifting goons who normally invade night spots have not yet infested the place, though this could be a case of lack of transport or easy access to the place to execute their illicit duties.
Lido Beach is situated at the extreme corner of the Entebbe old airport. Its structures are not sophisticated but for temporary accommodation.
The number of women who visit the beach is overwhelming; they dress in bikinis and invade lake water after stints of sun bathing.
From the looks there is nothing big that attracts fans apart from ogling skimpy dressed belles in bikinis.
LIDO Beach in Entebbe recently regained life. Pumped up with picnic libido, the once serene and reserved place for family day outs is now a place of flurry activities.
Every sunday evening, several “Kampalans†as well as Entebbe dwellers throng the beach, which had sometime back lost its glory and “eat happy†as they normally yell in Luganda, “Mwana tuzze kulya happy ku beach.â€
As waves crush onto the shore and bring a cool soothing breeze around, the crème de la crème of Kampala’s beauties litter the sandy shore, most cast sleazy hugs among themselves.
Moving in droves, they roam the shores, feel good and enjoy.
All the folks who frequent Kampala night spots find their way to Lido beach on Sundays and fill the place to capacity. They eat, drink, chat and dance.
Popular DJs are imported from kampala to spin discs. Sunday boredom is determinedly defeated and because of monotonous visits to other places, the beach provides this opportunity for change. Couples swim in lake water after a sumptuous fried tilapia, while others take advantage and act promiscuously in water.
Today, the beach provides a favourable aura for romantic evenings and all the musicians commanded by their cult fame flock this sandy beach in the name of pleasure hunting. There is no entrance fee, but drinks as well as eats, are damn expensive. You pat with sh8,000 to have whole fried tilapia, while soft drinks go for sh1,000 and beers go for sh2,000.
A fleet of bike riders dressed like cowboys come in. entrance is free as long as you buy drinks when the new vision visited.
At the edge of the lake, is a warning printed in red, “you swim at your own risk.†Despite the warning, many youths swim in the waters and some who have probably mastered the art, swim as far as 300 meters deep.
One wonders how this place, which looks like an isolated isle attracts many revellers. Like other entertainment places in Kampala, Lido Beach has several pool tables, DStv screen and sports facilities. Volleyball is the most cherished sport after swimming in the surf filled lake water.
When darkness ensues, people come out of water and then the small compound of the L-shaped building acts as a dancing hall. DJs and local musicians are compelled to perform and moments later everyone starts dancing.
The music comprises of oldies and latest.
However, the place lacks parking facilities. Harassment of UTODA guys, also makes it difficult for people who use public means because they do not want taxis from outside Entebbe to carry passengers. This makes it so expensive, leaving the place to “my cars†or people who can a afford special hire.
Amazingly, the crowd that go to this beach is a selected crème of people who like “happening,†no pick pocketing and cell phone disappearance even beer lifting goons who normally invade night spots have not yet infested the place, though this could be a case of lack of transport or easy access to the place to execute their illicit duties.
Lido Beach is situated at the extreme corner of the Entebbe old airport. Its structures are not sophisticated but for temporary accommodation.
The number of women who visit the beach is overwhelming; they dress in bikinis and invade lake water after stints of sun bathing.
From the looks there is nothing big that attracts fans apart from ogling skimpy dressed belles in bikinis.