By Kwame Ismail Nkurunziza
The business fraternity in Kampala is engulfed in grief following the demise of businessman Ivan Kakooza, who was the proprietor of Nexus Lounge in Najjera, and several other businesses.
Kakooka, who was known to many people in the city and beyond, died last night at Mulago Hospital, where he was rushed after he developed multiple health complications.
However, sources close to the deceased’s family have revealed to this website that all indications are that he succumbed to the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) virus.
According to his workers and friends at Nexus Lounge, Kakooza died as a result of COVID-19 related complications after he showed signs like diarrhea, headache, vomiting, and difficulty in breathing.
“He started feeling unwell one month ago,” one of the workers said on condition of anonymity, adding that; “His close friend Isaac Rucci sometime ago announced that he had also tested positive for COVID-19, although he later recovered.”

Family sources revealed that Kakooza was initially treated at home by a team of doctors but later transferred to Mulago Hospital when his condition worsened.
They added that Kakooza’s poor health was initially kept a secret from his junior workers, although it later became an open secret.
But by the time of filing the story members of his family were yet to receive an official postmortem report from Mulago Hospital about the real cause of his death.
At the time of demise, Kakooza, who had no known child, was employing over 100 people.
He was erecting a mega mansion in Kungu, Buwatte, a city suburb and is said to have had several apartments around town.
Watch this space for details!