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Muhoozi gives bars and clubs freedom to decide when to open and close
01st September, 2026 01:22 AM
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has said bars and clubs in Uganda are free to decide their own opening and closing hours.
In a post shared on X on Monday, August 31, 2026, he said the decision on when entertainment businesses open and close should be left to their proprietors. He explained that the main issue authorities will not tolerate is fighting and violence in such places.
“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,” Muhoozi said.
His remarks mean that bar and club proprietors have the freedom to set the hours that work for their businesses. According to him, there should be no issue with Ugandans enjoying themselves as long as fighting and violence are not involved. Muhoozi explained that violence is the line that will not be accepted.
The statement focuses on behaviour in bars and clubs rather than on the time at which they operate. Muhoozi said proprietors can decide when their businesses open and when they close.
Uganda leaves operating hours to proprietors
Muhoozi’s position places the responsibility for operating hours on individual proprietors.
Things are different in Kenya, where local pubs operate with a schedule. The operating hours are therefore not simply left to individual pub owners to decide. This makes the approach different from the position Muhoozi outlined in Uganda.
Kenyans are also currently dealing with the menace of fake alcohol. The issue has raised concerns around alcohol being sold and consumed in the country. Recent reports have raised concerns over unsafe alcohol, including drinks made using dangerous substances.
Authorities and other stakeholders have continued to push for action against the sale and distribution of fake alcohol. The issue has also raised concerns about consumer safety, especially as counterfeit drinks can be made to look like genuine brands
Muhoozi’s statement, however, focused on Uganda and the freedom of bars and clubs to decide their opening and closing hours. He said the main restriction is against fighting and violence, while Ugandans remain entitled to enjoy themselves.
