Makindye houses succumb to bar business
Tasked with choosing between living in your own house and selling it off or hiring it out as a bar, what would you do? This “dilemma†is what many Makindye house-owners are grappling over, day and night as the attraction of good money keeps coming their way.
By Jude Katende
Tasked with choosing between living in your own house and selling it off or hiring it out as a bar, what would you do? This “dilemma†is what many Makindye house-owners are grappling over, day and night as the attraction of good money keeps coming their way.
Several decade-old structures, judging by their architectural designs, have been transformed into bars and restaurants, thanks to the magnetism of money.
Obviously, house-owners weigh-out the circumstances and end up surrendering the houses for cash.
With Makindye being a prime city suburb, a four or three bedroom house complete with a garage, kitchen, store and bathroom could go for between sh200m and sh400m or beyond, depending on the location, size, proximity to the main road among other factors.
This is perhaps what many people have ‘discovered’ as a gateway to riches and quickly do away with their age-old possessions. Many of the houses by the roadside have “fallen victim†to this cash allure, but those tucked inside are a bit safe.
“Staying in a house surrounded by bars is quite challenging. It is really a nightmare raising children around bars. You eventually give up and sell your house off,†says an official from Uganda Breweries, who chose anonymity.
Shem Semambo, the Nile Breweries sales services manager, says there are more opportunities from selling beer these days, because of the flourishing bar business.
Musisi Pub near Prayer Palace in Kibuye, on the way to Makindye hill, was until recently, a quiet residential place and did not look like it was about to be turned into a bar, but time was to tell the tale.
It is now about three years down the road and the pub is in brisk business. What used to be a 24-hour closed gate is currently open throughout the day and night – such is bar business.
The upper greenery, where perhaps children would play from, now hosts patrons. There is even a raised platform that acts as a stage for weekend music performances. The parking lot is not that big, but can accommodate a good number of cars.
Not so far away from here is Isabella bar, which in many ways shares a lot with some bars in Kabalagala and Wandegeya. Usually closing beyond 4:00am, depending on the day of the week, Isabella was also a residential house.
Near it are several pork joints that the customer is spoilt for choice. Isabella used to be a cool and quiet residence about 10 years back, but fast forward to business interests and the rest, like they say, is history.
A few metres away from Isabella, as you ascend the hill, are perhaps the busiest bars – Hakuna Matata and Makindye House. Set in a tranquil and a carefully designed environment, complete with flowers and good art pieces, Hakuna Matata is an attraction.
Makindye House and a smaller branch of Hakuna Matata on the opposite side seem to have replaced shops. Near these bars is a washing bay that was also a residence.
After the military barracks is Nirvana Bar and Restaurant, which is perhaps the most recent of the houses turned into bars affair. Barely a year in operation, it attracts crowds during big soccer match days. What used to be a garage, now hosts pool table fans. The former living room doubles as a sitting area for patrons and as the main bar, complete with a counter. Most of the other facilities were left intact such as the washrooms.
Further up is Great View Club, which could best be described as a hide-out. Once a home with a big compound, it now hosts private parties and other outdoor events besides operating as a bar. The living room now serves as a counter.
The list is endless. It is as if Makindye house-owners have just discovered that sleeping is not lucrative, but earning from drinking surely is!
Tasked with choosing between living in your own house and selling it off or hiring it out as a bar, what would you do? This “dilemma†is what many Makindye house-owners are grappling over, day and night as the attraction of good money keeps coming their way.
Several decade-old structures, judging by their architectural designs, have been transformed into bars and restaurants, thanks to the magnetism of money.
Obviously, house-owners weigh-out the circumstances and end up surrendering the houses for cash.
With Makindye being a prime city suburb, a four or three bedroom house complete with a garage, kitchen, store and bathroom could go for between sh200m and sh400m or beyond, depending on the location, size, proximity to the main road among other factors.
This is perhaps what many people have ‘discovered’ as a gateway to riches and quickly do away with their age-old possessions. Many of the houses by the roadside have “fallen victim†to this cash allure, but those tucked inside are a bit safe.
“Staying in a house surrounded by bars is quite challenging. It is really a nightmare raising children around bars. You eventually give up and sell your house off,†says an official from Uganda Breweries, who chose anonymity.
Shem Semambo, the Nile Breweries sales services manager, says there are more opportunities from selling beer these days, because of the flourishing bar business.
Musisi Pub near Prayer Palace in Kibuye, on the way to Makindye hill, was until recently, a quiet residential place and did not look like it was about to be turned into a bar, but time was to tell the tale.
It is now about three years down the road and the pub is in brisk business. What used to be a 24-hour closed gate is currently open throughout the day and night – such is bar business.
The upper greenery, where perhaps children would play from, now hosts patrons. There is even a raised platform that acts as a stage for weekend music performances. The parking lot is not that big, but can accommodate a good number of cars.
Not so far away from here is Isabella bar, which in many ways shares a lot with some bars in Kabalagala and Wandegeya. Usually closing beyond 4:00am, depending on the day of the week, Isabella was also a residential house.
Near it are several pork joints that the customer is spoilt for choice. Isabella used to be a cool and quiet residence about 10 years back, but fast forward to business interests and the rest, like they say, is history.
A few metres away from Isabella, as you ascend the hill, are perhaps the busiest bars – Hakuna Matata and Makindye House. Set in a tranquil and a carefully designed environment, complete with flowers and good art pieces, Hakuna Matata is an attraction.
Makindye House and a smaller branch of Hakuna Matata on the opposite side seem to have replaced shops. Near these bars is a washing bay that was also a residence.
After the military barracks is Nirvana Bar and Restaurant, which is perhaps the most recent of the houses turned into bars affair. Barely a year in operation, it attracts crowds during big soccer match days. What used to be a garage, now hosts pool table fans. The former living room doubles as a sitting area for patrons and as the main bar, complete with a counter. Most of the other facilities were left intact such as the washrooms.
Further up is Great View Club, which could best be described as a hide-out. Once a home with a big compound, it now hosts private parties and other outdoor events besides operating as a bar. The living room now serves as a counter.
The list is endless. It is as if Makindye house-owners have just discovered that sleeping is not lucrative, but earning from drinking surely is!