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Like the name, the new industrial area based 7 star Lounge pledges 360 client hospitality while still not charging a penny more.

Set to open to the public on 30^th November, 7 star Lounge has sampled its services with a VIP treat to a few invited guests where we pleasantly embraced and backed them for excellent services.

The directors maintain they will remain relatively affordable like all other city bars while giving more in service. “Our beers will be at 5,000ugx and buffet at 15,000ugx which we feel is unbeatable given the services here.” Director of marketing said.

“Every Sunday, we shall be staying open atleast until midday, we want to bring the night life to the mornings as other bars are closing for us at Seven Star we shall remain open and ready to receive everyone.”- the proprietor revealed to our reporters.

7 star Lounge like all other night spots will have theme nights. Bikini dancers, models and Hula dancers every Friday at the Lounge. Guests will be treated to s full fun-time from the moment the doors open up until the next morning while as even drinks will be cheapest as we were alerted that they will be announcing happy hours (discount hours.)

When it comes to hosting parties and events, Seven Star Lounge provides free venues and bookings for any kind of event as long as the party holder books in advance for better preparations unlike other bars and lounges in Kampala that charge clients to host their parties. Birthday parties, bridal showers, and any other kind of party is provided with no fees.

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By Reporter

Hennessy Global Brand Ambassador Benjamin Smith has held an exclusive media testing event at Kampala Serena Hotel.

Mr. Benjamin Smith met journalists and explained the origin of Cognac and its deep relation with Hennessy right from the roots of the first bottle of Hennessy that was produced by Richard Hennessy, the founder of the company that was opened up in 1765.

He held a deep media master class explaining the manufacturing of different versions of Hennessy which include; the V.S (Very Special), V.S.O.P (Very Special Old Pale) and X.O (Extra Old) versions of Hennessy which are distilled and stored according to the years they were manufactured.

Mr. Smith also dug into the deep immersion of the rich heritage, finesse and sophistication of Maison Hennessy at the Serena Hotel, Kampala as guests quenched their thirst to the rich tasting flavors of Hennessy.

He also took us through the rich history and ‘savoir-faire’ of Hennessy, a truly global adventure dipped in the history of French origin that started in 1765 as he mentioned that;

“With 1st shipments traced back to 1898, Hennessy has a long history in East Africa. Today East Africa is one of the most dynamic regions in the world for Hennessy, with exciting new occasions and venues attracting diverse consumers to the brand. The entrepreneurial energy is obvious in Uganda and blends well with the DNA of Hennessy.”- Mr Benjamin Smith stated.The Global Brand Ambassador used the stages of a 3 course fine dining meal to let the cognac lovers sip and savor the different pearls on the Hennessy crown. Journalists were also able to learn and taste the great cognacs of Maison Hennessy; the Very Special (VS), Very Superior Old Pale (VSOP) and of course the ultimate Extra Old (X.O) accompanied by stories of how each name came to be.

WHY HAS HENNESSY COME TO UGANDA:

Mr. Benjamin Smith revealed that Hennessy has been in East Africa since early 1800’s and now they are back in Uganda to expand the brand and make it a household name as it has been in different countries allover the world including Nigeria where they have Timaya as the brand ambassador.

“We are expanding the Hennessy Family allover the continent and this being my first time in Uganda, I am here to make sure we are truly understood by people. We also want people to understand that Hennessy is not a spirit as most people thought but rather a Cognac that is distilled and preserved for perfection.

Currently we are looking at expanding our market to fit into the daily lives of Ugandans. In fact, we are also looking forward to getting full time brand ambassadors in Uganda.That’s one of the reasons I came to Uganda,”- he concluded.

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The minister appealed to local contractors to deliver on time, quality, and quantity and meet standards as they are given advantages during public bidding.

The minister of trade and industry Amelia Kyambadde has urged local contractors to get informed about the tender opportunities.

“Local contractors should get well informed about the tender processes and where to address their grievances if they feel cheated,” Kyambadde said.

This was during a meeting held in Kampala to launch the First Uganda Contractors & Providers Summit.

The Ministry of Trade, Uganda Contractors & Providers and Beautiful Partners are organizing the first Uganda Contractors & Providers Summit under the theme:  ‘Buy Uganda, Build Uganda from a contractors’ perspective’.

Kyambadde said there are middlemen who are exploiting local contractors.  “Please be-ware of these middlemen. There is corruption in the tender process. They make bidding expensive, every bidding step you make they ask for money,” Kyambadde said.

The summit will take place from 12th to 13th November at Serena Hotel Kampala under the theme ‘Buy Uganda Build Uganda from a contractors’ perspective’. President Yoweri Museveni is expected to be the guest of honour as the event presents a strong boost for Uganda’s local contractors and promote local participation.

The minister appealed to local contractors to deliver on time, quality, and quantity and meet standards as they are given advantages during public bidding.

She also urged public officials to make the bidding process easy for locals. “You make a contractor run from one ministry to the next looking for a signature that is a non- tariff barrier,” Kyambadde said.

Guster Bukenya, a representative of Uganda Contractors and Providers said they seek to create a platform to develop skills that can enable local contractors be part of the procurement cycle.

Bukenya said local contractors face financial challenges and other challenges that impact on their performance. “Contractors can play an important role in creating jobs, enable social and economic development,” he said.

“We want local contractors who are often made sub-contractors to grow and become the main contractors, local contractors have stepped up in terms of both quality and quantity,” Bukenya said.

The manager public and corporate affairs at the Uganda Revenue Authority Vincent Seruma said URA supports the BUBU policy. Seruma advised local contractors to comply with the tax system which will give them great opportunities to do business.

“Contractors can miss out on tenders because of not complying with the tax system. When you get into the bidding process you can grow and get markets in the region, the continent, the African Continental Free Trade Area, we need to prepare for these markets,” Seruma said.

Benson Turamye, executive director Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) disclosed that President Yoweri Museveni has issued directive requiring furniture to be procured locally.

Turamye explained that the PPD Act provides for preference and reservation schemes that give advantages to local contractors and enterprises to outcompete foreign bidders on the pricing element by small margins.

He said tenders of sh45b and below for goods are reserved for local providers. While tenders for the provision of consultancy services of sh1b and below are reserved for local consultants.

He noted that foreigner firms that win tenders are required to subcontract 30% of it to local firms. He said the goal to support local contractors and providers was intended to promote wealth creation, technology and skills transfer.