Uganda’s Top General Overturns Government Directive, Gives Bars and Clubs Freedom to Set Own Hours
In a decisive move that has been celebrated across social media, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has overruled a recent ministerial order restricting the operating hours of bars and clubs. He declared that proprietors are free to decide their own opening and closing times, as long as they maintain order and prevent violence.
The announcement directly counters a directive issued earlier this month by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara, which ordered that alcohol-selling establishments should not open before 3 p.m. on working days to curb early-morning drinking and associated social problems . The minister had linked the restrictions to fighting idleness, reducing crime, and protecting families .
“Ugandans are entitled to enjoy themselves”
Taking to his official X account on Monday night, Gen. Kainerugaba made his position clear, shifting the focus from time restrictions to public safety .
“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,” the General posted .
In a follow-up post, he further emphasized Uganda’s liberal stance on nightlife, stating: “In Uganda, people can dance and drink up to morning. Also, women are allowed to dress anyway they want” .
A “Green Light” for Nightlife and Mixed Reactions
The General’s intervention has been widely interpreted as a significant pushback against the minister’s directive, creating a potential conflict in government policy. Reports indicated that local authorities and security personnel had already begun enforcing the 3 p.m. rule in some areas . However, Minister Barugahara was quick to acknowledge the senior officer’s stance, responding publicly with “Order taken Chairman with utmost respect” .
Online, the announcement was met with widespread celebration from the public and key figures in the entertainment industry. Influential socialite and bar host Sheilah Gashumba publicly thanked the General, expressing her appreciation for the freedom to party at any hour . This liberal approach to nightlife contrasts sharply with the stricter regulations in neighboring Rwanda, where alcohol sales are heavily restricted and public decency laws are more rigorously enforced . This regional contrast is further highlighted by an ongoing dispute where Rwanda recently suspended several Ugandan alcoholic brands over safety concerns, a move that Uganda has challenged .
For now, Gen. Kainerugaba’s statement has effectively given bar owners and partygoers the “green light” to operate and enjoy themselves freely, provided the celebrations remain peaceful and do not descend into chaos .
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