Masaka businessman Emmanuel Lwasa blames locals for Club Tavern Kick’s downfall

• Emmanuel Lwasa cites unpaid bills from locals and COVID-19 restrictions as key reasons for Club Tavern Kick’s decline.
• Lwasa owes UGX 600 million to Equity Bank, having repaid UGX 500 million already.
• He has listed Club Tavern Kick for sale at UGX 2 billion to recover funds and reinvest in his business.

Popular Masaka businessman Emmanuel Lwasa has revealed how the people of Masaka contributed to the collapse of his once-thriving night spot, Club Tavern Kick. In an interview with Spark TV, Lwasa explained that he had secured a bank loan and invested heavily in the club.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, bringing business to a halt. With operations stalled, Lwasa struggled to generate enough revenue. On top of this, he claims that patrons often frequented the bar without paying, further worsening the financial situation.

“There are certain challenges you can’t predict in business. I borrowed that money to finance my business but at that time COVID-19 pandemic hit. Business wasn’t normal and the locals here in Masaka started drinking my alcohol without paying me thus these challenges.”

A few days ago, Lwasa put Club Tavern Kick on the market to help repay his loan from Equity Bank. Having already repaid UGX 500 million, he still owes UGX 600 million.

The bank currently holds the building as collateral. Lwasa has appealed to Equity Bank to release the property so that he can sell it, recover his funds, settle the outstanding loan, and reinvest the remainder into his business.

The businessman has priced the property at UGX 2 billion.