KAMPALA
By ABDU KIYAGA
Posted Saturday, March 16 2013 at 02:00
Posted Saturday, March 16 2013 at 02:00
Ugandans consume more alcohol than counterparts in
any African country, demonstrating the citizens’ abiding love for
liquor, according to a survey done by US broadcaster Cable News Network
(CNN).Titled ‘World’s 10 best-drinking nations’, Uganda
is ranked 8th globally ahead of Germany and Australia at positions 9 and
10, respectively. The worst drinkers in the world, according to the
ranking, are British nationals who use bars to crack deals, initiate and
end relationships, settle scores and overcome their “traditional
reserve”.In Uganda’s case, the study says patrons
generously drink “waragi, also known as war gin because it was once used
to fortify troops. Though drinking too much inevitably leads to
surrender.”
“Uganda leads its African neighbours for alcohol
intake, largely thanks to a rampant trade in illegally made rotgut and a
winning formula of booze made from bananas,” the broadcaster noted in
its study published online yesterday. The ranking offered no benchmarks
or figures, making it impossible to determine how scientific or not the
research was.That notwithstanding, the report captures fairly
correctly that many Ugandans, especially in the central region, offset
hangover by enjoying Luwombo; a meal with saucy meat or chicken cooked
in banana leaves.Ajono, a semi-fermented beer drunk from communal
pots using long straws, which is most popular among the Itesot, is
another of the country’s favourite alcoholic drinks, CNN noted.
Intake of colossal amounts of potent gins and
other forms of crude liquor in mostly poverty-stricken rural communities
and urban slums has raised health alarm amid declining productivity by
affected youth.Uganda’s endowed mostly take beer as well in
generous quantities that police recently stepped up surveillance to
catch intoxicated motorists and pedestrians, arguing both present risk
to themselves and other road users. Other countries in descending
ranking on CNN’s ‘World’s 10 best-drinking nations’ list include China,
Russia, France, Ecuador, Moldova and South Korea.
akiyaga@ug.nationmedia.com
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