By Flavia Ajok
Hoima East Division Council has disagreed with the directive by the Minister of State for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, ordering bars to always open at 3pm during working days.
The matter was discussed during the division’s first council meeting held on Thursday at Hoima Resort Hotel, where councilors expressed concern over what they described as selective enforcement, saying some big hotels continue operating while local bars are being targeted by police and other law enforcements.
Hoima East Division Mayor Bosco Muhanuzi says police should stop harassing bar owners, arguing that the directive did not clearly specify the closing time and that bar operations should be handled through the local authorities.
Mayor Muhanuzi says as council they have also disagreed with the Hoima City Council’s resolution of a seven days ultimatum issued to taxi drivers operating at the Kinubi stage saying that it was not in order and therefore called for more time to be given to the drivers.
Speaking to some Councillors like Hon Dema Gabriel represtenting Central ward, Kasasa Hanington, representing Northern Ward, Hon Mary Byeyitima representing Northern ward argued that Minister Balaam failed to consider the financial obligations of bar owners, including rent and other expenses.
They called on other leaders to stand with their people, saying bars contribute revenue to the local government and that any changes in their operations should follow the proper legal procedures, including discussion in Parliament.
