Mukono, Uganda
The Hive Lounge and Bar in Mukono has quickly become a popular hangout for young people, especially university students looking to take a break from their studies.
Located near the MZO-Mukono offices, the bar has recently been renovated, giving it a fresh, modern look that attracts those who want a more upscale night out.
With its comfortable seating and low lighting, the lounge feels exclusive, drawing in people who want more than just a regular night out, they want an experience.
But underneath the stylish surface, there’s a different story.
As soon as you walk in, you’re hit by the thick cloud of shisha smoke, filling the air with a mix of fruity and more questionable scents, including cannabis and opium.
The place is packed with young adults, mostly between 18 and 30, all gathered around shisha pots at every table.
Here, smoking has become more than a habit, it’s a big part of the experience, with people blowing out thick clouds of smoke from their mouths, noses, and, as they say, even their ears.
The big spenders at The Hive Lounge don’t do much dancing themselves. Instead, they enjoy watching the younger crowd dance and sometimes get too close for comfort.
The shisha pots at the bar range from Shillings 18,000 to 30,000, depending on what’s inside.
It’s not just university students who come here, other partygoers are mostly interested in mingling with the students.
Observing closely, it’s clear that many of the women at this bar quickly lose their ability to resist advances.
Smoking shisha can make you feel dizzy because it restricts your oxygen intake.
When mixed with alcohol, which also makes you sleepy, it can lead to severe dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Plus, the alcohol vapour in shisha gets you drunk faster than drinking straight alcohol.
Parents should be concerned about how some of the men here act as they escort young women home.
Inside the bar, the design might seem cramped, especially in the more upscale sections.
However, there’s another area designed for those who prefer stronger substances like cannabis and opium.
The people in this part of the bar often look rough and their dance moves can be intimidating.
It’s easy to tell when you’re in the area where stronger substances are being used.
In this part of the bar, safety is a concern since there are no bouncers, and surprisingly, both men and women as young as 15 are present.
This area is also where the shisha pots are kept. While the police used to raid the place and seize pots, it seems they’ve recently agreed, leaving the bar to operate more peacefully.
From what we’ve seen, many people smoke shisha to fit in or feel a sense of belonging, especially in bars and nightclubs.
However, research shows that smoking shisha for one hour can expose you to the same amount of smoke as smoking over 100 cigarettes.
The long-term effects include serious health issues like lung damage, oesophagal cancer, and stomach cancer.
In the short term, it can lead to increased heart rate, high blood pressure, reduced lung function, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
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