As the sun blazes relentlessly, sending temperatures soaring, swimming pool businesses across Uganda are experiencing an unprecedented boom. With people seeking ways to cool off, pool owners are making a fortune, capitalizing on the sweltering conditions.
Uganda is currently experiencing a severe heatwave with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in some areas.
In Kampala and its suburbs, hotels, resorts, and privately owned pools are recording an influx of visitors. Families, fitness enthusiasts, and young revelers are flocking to these water havens, transforming what was once a seasonal luxury into a daily necessity.
At Zion Swimming pool in Lugala, business is thriving like never before.Elie Rwansa, the manager, says the number of visitors has doubled in the past four months.
“On weekends, we receive more than 300 customers, and even on weekdays, the numbers are impressive. We’ve had to extend our operating hours to accommodate demand,” Rwansa reveals.
With entrance fees ranging between shs5000 and shs10,000, the revenue streams are surging. Some pool owners have increased rates slightly due to high maintenance costs, yet customers keep coming.
Apart from leisure swimming, the demand for swimming lessons has skyrocketed. Mutebi, a swimming coach, says parents are enrolling their children in large numbers.
“Many parents now see swimming as a life skill, and the hot weather is giving them the perfect excuse to bring their children for lessons,” he said
Even adults are joining in. Several professionals, including business executives and civil servants, are signing up for swimming lessons as a way to relax after work.
Despite the booming business, pool owners face challenges. Water bills have doubled, and maintenance costs for chemicals, cleaning, and filtration systems are rising.
Some pools struggle with overcrowding, prompting owners to implement booking systems to control numbers.
However, they express concern that the Ramadan and Lenten periods have put many people in a solemn and reflective mood, reducing their participation in public activities.
