Creating a space to engage without the subtle pressure to perform for an invisible audience. PHOTO/TONY MUSHOBOROZI.
Written by Tony Mushoborozi
Before smartphones, social media feeds, and endless scrolling took over everyday life (and our attention spans), social connections felt simpler and more genuine.
People gathered in kafundas, village compounds, trading centres, and neighbourhood hangouts not just to drink or for pastime, but to truly connect.
After long days in the gardens, offices, or marketplaces, friends and strangers alike sat together to share stories, debate politics, discuss community issues, and unwind. No Wi-Fi, no filters, no pressure to “capture the moment.”
In many traditional settings, groups gathered around a pot of malwa (local millet brew), spending hours in conversation without distraction. No one paused mid-story to take a photo or record a video. The focus was simple: be present.
That culture created a strong sense of belonging. Friendships formed easily, social spaces felt safe, and people genuinely listened to one another. Hangout culture carried warmth, calm energy, and authenticity, the kind that did not need validation from likes or comments.
Even as Kampala’s social scene evolved, that spirit never fully disappeared…
To continue reading, tap link: Gilbey’s hangouts revives Kampala’s lost art of real connection in a scroll-obsessed age