Kampala, Uganda: Noni Vie Lounge & Restaurant, one of Kampala’s once-trending nightlife spots in Lugogo, has been sold to a group of Chinese investors who plan to convert the premises into a fully-fledged casino.
The upscale lounge, which operated for nearly two years, quietly exited the city’s competitive entertainment scene following prolonged financial and operational challenges.
Sources familiar with the transaction revealed that the establishment began struggling amid rising operating costs, stiff competition in Kampala’s nightlife economy, and tightening regulatory oversight affecting bars and entertainment venues.
By mid-last year, the property was discreetly placed on the market by its owner, identified as Mark, a former nightlife entrepreneur.
Mark is also linked to Laventi Bar in Najjera, which ceased operations after enforcement action by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), highlighting growing compliance pressure within Kampala’s entertainment sector.
Credible information published on local media outlet, TrumpetNews, indicates that Noni Vie has since been acquired by Chinese investors who intend to overhaul the business model entirely.
According to sources briefed on the deal, all necessary documentation between the investors and the landlord, Stanislas Isiagi, has been finalized.
The new proprietors are expected to renovate the premises to meet gambling and gaming regulatory standards before launching casino operations.
The transition underscores a broader shift within Kampala’s leisure landscape, where traditional nightlife venues face declining disposable income, heightened taxation, and stricter regulatory enforcement.
Change of Kampala’s Night Economy?
In recent years, several bars and clubs across Kampala have closed, downsized, or changed ownership as operators grapple with compliance costs and fluctuating consumer spending.
Conversely, casinos and gaming establishments continue to attract investor interest, buoyed by relatively steady demand and potentially higher profit margins.
The conversion of Noni Vie into a casino signals not just the end of another nightlife brand, but also a structural evolution in Kampala’s entertainment economy.
Story Credit: TrumpetNews
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