The 11th edition of the Brookside East Africa Secondary Schools games could not have kicked off at a more opportune time for the business community in Mbarara than this period.
Already grappling with tough economic conditions, the business community are now cashing in with the influx of players, officials and spectators who have flocked into the district from the region.
Accommodation and entertainment seem to be the major beneficiaries from the games, as sportsmen have a known penchant for night life.
Baguma Sylus, an attendant at the Desert Island Bar, speaking on Monday night outside a fully packed dance hall, with majority of the crowd conspicuously donning Brookside uniforms, attributed the busy environment to the games.
Baguma said since last Friday they have been having a full crowd than ever before. He says since Sunday evening, he had sold over 20 crates of beer from an average of 8.
This business euphoria was played out at much of the entertainment spots sampled by URN reporter. Most of the Lodges sampled were pre booked and had to reject offers from customers.
Chris Mujansi, a boda bada rider stationed at Ntare School, the accommodating venue for much of the sports teams, says that his daily income has jumped from Shs 20,000 to Shs 50,000 daily. The boda boda riders now charge shs.3000 from Ntare stage to the town centre, a journey that has been going for shs.1000.
Margaret Kateeha operates a food kiosk inside Kakyeka stadium, having relocated there to tap into the business potential of the games. Kateeha says her business had grounded previously but the increase in food prices forced her to also increase prices leading to a decline in business. Kateeha had sold out much of her food by Monday afternoon.
John Mwiruki, a Kenyan sports officer says the cost of living was not high in Mbarara but complained of lack of Safaricom airtime cards in the town.
