Mohammad Hamid, a Sudanese National running a multibillion hotel- Pearl of Africa, in Kampala is reportedly cash trapped and has since failed to secure partnership with any willing investor in a bid to recapitalize his facility.
Hamid who heads an investment group in Uganda operating under AYA Brothers has for long advertised to attract investors to invest in his business.
“Because he has contacts across the globe, he displayed an interest to partner with a willing mogul into pushing Pearl of Africa Hotel,” a source said.
For a year now however, no serious investor has showed any interests in taking up Mr. Hamid’s franchise offer.
Criminal Record
A reliable source at the Nakasero hill based Pearl of Africa divulged to us on condition of anonymity that foreign investors have shunned Hamid’s offer because of his criminal record which they fear could have serious repercussions on the business once they agree to his Franchise proposal.
“You know the westerners are very serious. They don’t underestimate anything,” a source said.
Adding that many investors had initially agreed only to be turned away by Hamid’s ‘dirty image.’
“The investors fear, once they inject money in the hotel, they could end up losing it because that man is unclean,” added a source.
For example, Hamid has been battling sexual harassment related cases.
A few years ago, Jamila Opondo, a former employee of Hamid accused him of sexually harassing her.
Opondo told the media that Hamid is a “sex freak” who derives pleasure from abusing his workers.
“He treats workers as objects that you can play with and then throw away,” Opondo said.
Twice, Opondo reported Hamid to police but she says she did not get any assistance.
Rebranding
A source added that realizing the unwillingness of investors because of his dented image, Mr. Hamid was compelled to rebrand the hotel.
“That is why he dropped the name Hilton hotel to Pearl of Africa.
However, Hamid’s past returned to haunt him when a foreigner of Finnish national Tuomas Teräsvuor Juha Pateeri was found dead at the Pearl of Africa Hotel.
His death was shrouded in mystery as authorities couldn’t establish whether he was murdered, died of natural death or committed suicide.
Up to now police is yet to issue a conclusive report in relation to his death.
A source says, the death scared many investors who were convinced to reconsider partnering with Hamid.
Efforts to reach Hamid for a comment remained unsuccessful by press time.
However, sometime last year, Hamid told the media that he doesn’t care about people’s palatable opinion about him.
“Everyone has an opinion about me. I cannot influence how I want people to see me,” Hamid told the Observer.
