Nexus Bar and Lounge owner Ivan Kakooza has Friday morning succumbed to Coronavirus, TrumpetNews has confirmed.
A healthy Ivan, two and half weeks ago felt weak and further developed COVID-19 symptoms and rushed for a test in Mulago Refferal Hospital from where medics confirmed to him that he had contracted the virus.
“He then told close family members that COVID-19 is real and asked us to be cautious,” narrates a relative who wished not to be mentioned.
At the bar, his clients whom he deeply associated with felt his vacuum and started asking his employees his whereabouts.
A few of the workers knew about their boss’ health condition and were told not to reveal.
“Of course there is no way we would say he is suffering from COVID. We feared to push away our customers,” added a relative.
Efforts to access him at Mulago were futile. A few friends who learnt about his health status strived to meet him but Mulago doctors denied.
While at Mulago, Ivan was told that the virus had slipped into his lungs and was subjected to several tests to ascertain whether his organs had been damaged.
“He told me on whatsapp that he had developed breathing complication and was put on oxygen most of the time,” another close friend who also asked not to be mentioned told this website.
“We have been chatting on whatsapp everyday. But in all our conversations he reminded me that COVID is real,” she adds.
Ray of Hope
At the beginning of this week, Ivan informed his close friends and relatives that he was feeling better and would soon be discharged in a week’s time.
However, he was still on oxygen.
“Yesterday (Thursday) we talked in the morning and he assured me that he will be leaving hospital next week,” a friend said.
She woke up on Friday to sad news that Ivan had since passed on.
“Up to now I can’t believe it,” she added.
Ivan had also organised Independence gateway in Kalangala Island to celebrate Uganda’s 58th anniversary and he kept publicising the event on social media.
Life
Ivan Kakooza, has not been married and has no kids. He was a telecom Engineer who worked in many countries around the world.
In 2016, he decided to return to Uganda and developed Nexus bar from a scratch to one of the most happening spots in Kampala.
Young, versatile and dynamic, Ivan managed to sustain Nexus which has existed for close to 4 years.
Last year, he also invested in events having shopped state of the art equipment from China.
Nexus events has been known to have the best lighting in Kampala.
Reserved but also humorous, Ivan would hobnob with his clients who partied from Nexus every night.
Whereas he felt COVID pinch due to closure of bars by President Museveni, Ivan switched to food and had introduced a bakery at Nexus.
He was very innovative young man.
He will be dearly missed by friends and relatives who Friday morning poured in messages on social media mourning his untimely death.
REST IN PEACE Ivan Kakooza.