Victoria Nakuburwa
Victoria Nakuburwa is the owner of De-posh bar, one of the most popular joints in the seedy Kampala suburb that never goes to sleep. A lot has been said about the woman and her bar. Edgar R. Batte spoke to her.
Tell us about Vicky…
What you see is what you get. I am just a simple girl or woman.
What defines the woman in you?
I am determined. If I want something, I go for it. Nothing can stop me.
What has been your biggest achievement?
I have so many but I am still yearning to achieve more. Matter of fact, I don’t think that I have achieved anything yet.
Tell us about the few accomplishments you’ve made…
I am good at building nice houses. I’m into property development but I haven’t made good money like I had expected. I think De-posh bar has been my biggest achievement so far.
People say lots of things about your bar … what do you say about it?
It’s a nice spot with that beautiful atmosphere, good customer care, tight security and all tribes of drinks you will perhaps not get in many clubs and bars in town. We have very big stock, it won’t matter how many bottles you would like to buy, we have it all.
Your bar is popular with a bevy of hot Rwandan babes, is this an answer to marketing a bar?
Ha ha ha, you’re funny. We have all kinds of people not just Rwandese girls.
Some people say you bring these Rwandan girls into the country and pay them to hang out at your bar. That they attract male customers … Is this true or they just like your bar?
Yeah, they actually like my bar, (laughs on).
Your bar is one of the posh hangouts in Kabalagala, you must have sunk in quite some good money to make it that good. How did you raise the money?
If you want something badly, for sure you can get it. I found ways to get my dimes and I put up a beautiful bar.
Many people want things badly and never get them …
I was working, I got my money. I worked in Brazil, Dubai and Thailand. I was working with Gulf Air as an air crew member
How did you land such a job?
At the time things were not as hard as they are today. All they needed was someone who had good customer care and I had it. I knew the manager at Gulf Air based in Bahrain and when he introduced me they thought I was the perfect person for the job. I had prior met him in Bahrain.
You’ve talked about working in Brazil, Dubai, Thailand and now Bahrain, how do you end up in these parts of the world?
I was following my husband who was an exhibition and event organiser.
So, you are married?
Yes, technically.
What do you mean technically?
I am waiting for my divorce to go through.
Word around is that you actually made your money from a divorce settlement and you are saying you are not yet divorced.
This is going to be my second divorce. I made some good money as settlement after my first divorce and saved it. I am going to make more money on my second divorce.
How much did you make on the first and now the second divorce?
I am not saying but the second divorce will be concluded at the end of this year.
So how did you come up with the name De-posh?
Many people name their bars after their own names, but as a fan of Victoria Beckham (formerly Posh Spice) I decided to call it that. I wanted to call it Posh, but I called it De-posh to stand for the posh place to be.
So you are a fan of Victoria Beckham?
Yeah, big time.
What do you like about her?
I used to like the way she used to sing, that’s when I fell in love with her, not to mention that I admire her husband. She’s smart too, I almost forgot that I want to be like her one day.
Are you as much a party girl like her?
Only on weekends.
Where do you party from?
In the nightclubs.
Have you always been a party animal?
No, I have been a very good housewife, that’s what I remember. I only used to party when I was in Africa but out there in Europe, I would be a housewife.
You look young and outgoing, what would a young girl be doing as a housewife at your age?
Ha ha ha, I have been married for 10 years.
You mean you got married as a teenager?
My first wedding was when I was 19 years with a French boy. We were both young.
Was the wedding in church?
Yeah.
As someone who has been in an interracial marriage, what is your assessment?
Black or white, they are all people actually. It is personality that I care about.
Would you say you were on kyeyo when you worked at Gulf Air?
I did it willingly. I had a choice of not doing it because I lived with my husband. It was just a matter of getting experience.
How much were you making at Gulf Air?
It was not much. I used to make between $2,500 (about Shs7.5m) to $3,000(about Shs9m) a month.
I am sure being young and moneyed there are men after you, how do you deal with them?
He he he … they actually do. I tell them that I am not interested. That problem will always be there but I am waiting for that special man. I don’t know where he is but I know he will come one day.
What kind of man are you looking for?
A Mzungu or a half-cast, he should be light-skinned, young and nice looking.
What challenges do you face first as a young business lady?
In business many people want to take advantage of me and con me of my money posing in capacities they are not in.
Tell us about your family, where do you hail from?
I was born in Wobulenzi in the 1980s to Mr Francis Jjingo and Ms Teddy Jjingo both into business. We grew up in Kawempe.
How many siblings do you have?
I have 10 brothers and 20 sisters. I fall somewhere in the middle.
Where did you go to school?
I went to Wobulenzi Parents’ Primary School from P.1 to P.4. I then went to Kawempe Mbogo Primary School from P.5 to P.7. I joined Kawempe High School for secondary school.
What kind of child were you?
I was a quiet child who loved sports. I was an athlete and played netball. I used to run from 100 metres to the long distance races.
When was your turning point?
My first marriage. It changed my life. I became someone else, I became better than I was. While there in Europe, I learnt western values that we don’t have in African culture. It has been the best thing that has happened to me.
What advice can you share with fellow young people?
They should wait till they meet the right person. Until then, they should work hard. And the ladies should not think that they will get everything from men. They should work hard because men these days want women who are successful. And finally, life is precious, guard it well.
Away from the business lady that you, how do you enjoy your life?
I love travelling, I like meeting new people, shopping, going to the gym, playing squash and karate. I love cooking and it is my number one hobby.
Who inspires you?
David Beckham, he is very successful at what he does and he is too handsome.
What is on your wish list?
I want to be rich and very successful as a business woman.
Apart from De-posh what other businesses do you own and run?
I am into real estate and buying land.
You own a bar and I take it you’re by default a music lover, who are your favourite local artistes?
Matthias Walukaga and Ronald Mayinja for their informative music with a message that preaches hard work.
What is your last word…
I appreciate the support of my customers and they should keep coming. May God be with them.