UGANDA, Kololo | Real Muloodi News | Lazio Italian Bar and Restaurant, a high-end nightlife venue near the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, was closed following a police-supervised re-entry operation that has triggered a detailed dispute between the business owner and landlord Premier Distilleries Limited over rent arrears, tenancy arrangements and the legality of the eviction.
The eviction of Lazio Italian Bar occurred on Jan. 2, 2026, after Premier Distilleries Limited sought assistance from the Police Land Protection Unit to reclaim possession of the premises. The landlord alleges that rent obligations had not been met, while the bar’s management disputes the claim and says the process was unlawful.
Sharitah Haguma, director of Lazio Italian Bar, said she had operated from the Kololo premises for more than five years and denied allegations that the business owed three months’ rent amounting to $8,100. She said the bar invested more than $800,000 to develop the property after taking possession of what she described as vacant premises.
“I have never defaulted on rent payments during my time at this location,” Haguma said. She alleged that the eviction was carried out without a valid court order and without an inventory of removed property, resulting in losses and the temporary closure of the business. Haguma also said about 30 staff members were affected after payroll systems and equipment were disrupted.
Premier Distilleries Limited, through its lawyer Ssekindi Gonzaga, said the landlord’s tenancy agreement was not with Lazio Italian Bar but with Lazo Company Limited. Gonzaga said the tenant allegedly failed to pay rent despite repeated reminders issued in January and February 2025 and a formal three-month notice served in line with the tenancy agreement.
“The tenant acknowledged outstanding rent arrears in writing but did not clear them within the agreed period,” Gonzaga said. He added that discussions to formalize a tenancy arrangement directly with Lazio Italian Bar later in 2025 did not materialize after the agreed terms were not fulfilled.
According to Gonzaga, the landlord informed the tenant that it was no longer interested in continuing the tenancy and requested vacant possession. When the premises were not vacated, Premier Distilleries sought police assistance. He said the re-entry was cleared by the Regional Police Commander for Kampala Metropolitan East and approved by the District Security Committee.
Police records indicate that the re-entry was conducted in the presence of local council leaders and police officers. Gonzaga said Haguma was given time to remove property, with several trucks reportedly used to transport items to a warehouse in Mutundwe.
However, Haguma said there were ongoing civil and criminal matters related to the tenancy and that earlier police communication had allegedly halted any eviction. She also cited correspondence with the Inspector General of Police that temporarily stopped the re-entry before later clearance was granted.
Documents from the Police Land Protection Unit show that police involvement was limited to maintaining order and verifying documentation presented by both parties. A fact-finding meeting involving city officials, security agencies and both parties was held in November 2025, according to official correspondence.
The dispute involving Lazio Italian Bar remains unresolved, with both sides maintaining opposing positions on rent arrears, tenancy status and compliance with legal eviction procedures.
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