Freddy Mbinimpa, Mayor of Bujumbura, took, on 22 December, a series of measures including fixing the opening and closing hours of bars. Bars must open after 5 p.m. and close before 9 p.m., on weekdays while they open after 1 p.m. to close before 9 p.m. on weekends.
Freddy Mbinimpa, Mayor of Bujumbura “You have expressed your wishes, I will discuss them with my colleagues and the decision will be communicated to you,”
At a meeting held on 19 December by the Mayor of Bujumbura City with bar owners, the latter asked him to review his decision as it has a negative impact on their business.
Jean Pierre Ndimubandi, the owner of ‘Baleine Bar’ located in Buterere area of northern Bujumbura, said the decision disrupts his business.
“Opening a bar 4 hours a day is a huge loss. We cannot have money to pay the rent and employees.” He asked the Mayor to increase the opening hours. He suggests that the bars be open at 3 p.m. on weekdays and at noon on weekends.
He believes that it would be reasonable to close the bars at 11 pm instead of 9 p.m. “If we open from 5 to 9 p.m, we cannot sell the meat which ultimately rot. It is a huge loss, “he said. Térence Ntiruteba aka ‘Citoyen’ the owner of a bar located in Ruziba area in the south of Bujumbura endorses Ndimubandi’s proposal. He believes that the majority of Ruziba bar owners risk abandoning their business. “Ruziba area is not supplied with electricity. We want to open the bars at noon because we close no later than 6 p.m.,” said Ntiruteba.
It is the same concern for François Ndikumana, a barman from Buyenzi area in the center of Bujumbura. He also calls for the increase in working hours.
The Mayor did not promise to increase in opening hours. “You have expressed your wishes, I will discuss them with my colleagues and the decision will be communicated to you,” said Mbonimpa. He called on the administrative and security authorities to ensure the implementation of these measures before they are reviewed.
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