Nightlife: Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba says bar and club owners should determine their operating hours, arguing that Ugandans should be free to drink and dance until morning as long as there is no violence.
The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has rejected calls for fixed operating hours for bars and nightclubs, saying business owners should decide when their establishments open and close.
Kainerugaba made the remarks on X on Monday, August 31, amid a debate over proposed restrictions on the operating hours of alcohol-selling businesses in Uganda.
“Opening and closing hours for bars and clubs is up to the proprietors. What we will not tolerate is any form of fighting and violence. Otherwise, Ugandans are entitled to enjoy themselves,” Kainerugaba said.
He added that Ugandans should be free to drink and dance through the night.
“In Uganda, people can dance and drink up to morning. Also, women are allowed to dress anyway they want,” he said.
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Muhoozi Challenges Earlier Bar Hours Directive
Kainerugaba’s position comes after Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara directed bars, malwa joints and other alcohol-selling businesses not to open before 3pm on working days.
The directive was issued to district chairpersons, city mayors, division mayors and council speakers, with local authorities and security agencies asked to enforce the restrictions.
Barugahara said limiting drinking hours could help address problems associated with excessive alcohol consumption, including idleness, family difficulties and crime.
The directive also warned that businesses that repeatedly violated lawful operating-hour restrictions could face closure.
Authorities were further asked to take action against operators who sell alcohol to people below the age of 18.
Alcohol Industry Raises Concerns
The proposed restrictions have also attracted criticism from sections of Uganda’s alcohol industry.
The Uganda Alcohol Industry Association urged the government to reconsider the 3pm opening rule, arguing that a blanket restriction could affect licensed businesses while doing little to address the activities of illegal alcohol sellers.
Some local leaders have also raised questions about how the restrictions would be enforced, particularly given limited enforcement resources.
They also pointed to the difficulty of applying the same restrictions to supermarkets and shops that sell alcohol alongside other products.
Focus Shifts to Safety at Entertainment Venues
Kainerugaba’s comments shift the focus away from fixed closing times and towards maintaining security at entertainment venues.
His position suggests that bars and clubs should generally be allowed to operate according to their business needs, provided they comply with the law and maintain order.
The debate over bar operating hours is therefore likely to continue as authorities, business owners and other stakeholders consider how to balance nightlife, public safety and the interests of licensed businesses.
written by @enock katamba
- Enock Katamba is a Ugandan Journalist and Founder of Uncovered UG, an independent digital news platform covering Uganda and international developments. He reports on politics, national affairs, entertainment, sports, business, education and other stories of public interest.
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