Nakulabye’s popular hangout “The Bar” has bounced back a year after operating as a furniture shop. In 2020, when the government announced a nationwide lockdown and banned all kinds of social gatherings, “The Bar” changed into a furniture shop.
The proprietor of “The Bar” ventured into second-hand furniture to keep him moving since the bars were closed as part of the COVID-19 containment measures. However, “The Bar” has bounced back with the full reopening of the economy.
Grace Nakivumbi, the manager of “The Bar” and sister to the proprietor, says that they found it very hard to run a business line, which they had not been used to. She explains that their operating costs were too high yet the profit margin was minimal due to the lack of technical know-how.
“Even paying the rent for that business was a battle unlike in the bar business. It was better to focus on what we knew better thank God we hadn’t closed it fully” she told our reporter. She explained how they have managed to sustain the bar business after closing the furniture business.
About the planned reopening of the entertainment sector, Nakivumbi says that they are uncertain certain until January 24th, 2022. She, however, says that they are ready for whatever comes their way. In Nakulabye, many bars changed their business line.
The iconic Newlife bar, which started in 2001, sold off its premises and changed to second-hand household items. However, the new shop, which housed the new business is empty and up for rent. Robert Mubiru, the proprietor of the former Newlife bar, told URN in a telephone interview that he has only dealt in one business in his entire life.
He explained that whenever he tries out another business it ends in a bad gamble due to the lack of expertise. Without mentioning what his next plans are since the president has announced the reopening of the entertainment sector including bars, he called upon bar owners to unite under their association to advocate for their interests.
