More than ten shebeens have been shut down at Gam after failing to meet liquor licensing requirements.
Local business owners said the requirements, while lawful, do not reflect the realities on the ground in Gam Settlement, where inadequate basic infrastructure remains a daily challenge.
They are now appealing to authorities for either a grace period or direct assistance to help them meet compliance standards.
Speaking to NBC News, a shebeen owner, Julia Kaitavererue, said meeting the legal requirements is nearly impossible for small operators.
Kaitavererue explained that to qualify for a liquor license, the law requires proper toilets, running water, and reliable waste management systems, amenities she says are difficult to establish in Gam due to its rocky ground and lack of services.
She said her shop is closed since the beginning of the year.
She showed the News team the stock of alcohol that has been sitting idle in her shop for months.
“I have a concern regarding the shops that are closed, including my own. The shop was closed around January or February, and the stock is about to expire. We are therefore asking the government to allow us to reopen these shops, at least for a year or two, while we address our challenges. The water situation and other conditions in the settlement are also major concerns. One thing is clear: we do not involve ourselves in criminal activities. However, whenever we try to do something, the police appear. We appeal to the authorities to allow us to reopen our businesses because we are struggling to make a living.”
Another shebeen owner, Ruben Nekundi, also expressed his frustrations.
“We do not have water. One of the requirements for operating a shebeen is to have a toilet, but how are we supposed to build one? Even the water needed for construction has to be fetched from town. Just imagine how long it would take to build a toilet if we had to travel to town just to collect water. Another challenge is digging the pit itself. We are calling on the government to come and build the toilets or provide us with funding to do so. We do not even have community toilets in Gam. We are asking the government to help us because we also do not have running water or taps at our homes. The only tap we rely on is at the police station, and there are times when we have to go for two days without water.”
They claim that rules are applied more harshly in Gam than in other parts of the country.
Having been out of business for six months, he said he is now struggling to support his family.