Waragi facts for kids
Waragi (pronounced wah-RAH-gee) is a general name in Uganda for alcoholic drinks made by local people. It's also called by different names, depending on where it comes from or how it's made. Waragi is a type of homemade Gin.
The word "Waragi" means locally made gin all over Uganda. However, Uganda Waragi is a specific brand of gin made in factories by a company called East African Breweries Limited. There are also other types of gin made by individuals on a smaller scale. Two common types are "Kasese-Kasese" from western Uganda and "Lira-Lira" from northern Uganda. These two types have different tastes and smells. The way they are made is similar to how gin is made in big factories.
History of Waragi in Uganda
The story of Waragi in Uganda goes back to when the British ruled the country. British soldiers brought gin to Uganda, and it quickly became popular among Ugandans.
In 1960, the government at the time made a law called the Liquor Act. This law tried to limit how much local gin could be made and consumed. The government said this law was to protect people from unsafe ways of making alcohol at home. However, they also wanted to make sure that gin imported from Britain was more popular. Local gin was cheaper and became more popular than the imported kinds.
Ugandan politicians, like those from the Uganda People's Congress (UPC), spoke out against this law. They believed the government should have built a factory to make gin in Uganda instead. This way, people wouldn't have to make it dangerously at home. When the UPC came into power, they did build a factory and named the gin made there Uganda Waragi.
After Uganda became independent in 1962, the government of Uganda passed a new law called the Enguli Act of 1965. This law encouraged local makers of a drink called enguli to sell their product to the new factory. It also said that people needed a special license from the government to make alcohol at home. This helped the government keep track of the gin industry and collect taxes. The factory then used the enguli to make Uganda Waragi.
The name "Waragi" comes from "war gin." British people in the 1950s and 1960s called the local spirit enguli by this name. One idea is that British soldiers used to make this alcohol to keep up their spirits. Another idea is that the name comes from "Arak," a North African drink that soldiers from Sudan might have known.
Even though there were old laws against this drink, people in Uganda still drink it today. It is sold in shops and bars across Uganda. A special version of Uganda Waragi is also sold in other countries. This version is distilled (cleaned) more times, and flavors are added. Many impurities are removed, making it safer.
How Waragi is Made
Waragi can be made from different plants. For example, it can be made from bananas. A news group called VICE made a video about how Waragi is made and its importance in Ugandan culture.
Types of Waragi
The main ingredient for Waragi can be cassava, bananas, millet, or sugar cane. This depends on what crops grow best in different parts of Uganda.
Besides the factory-made Uganda Waragi, the most popular types are Lira Lira and Kasese.
- Lira Lira is mostly made from cassava flour and cane sugar. It is named after the town of Lira.
- Kasese is a strong banana gin. It is named after the town of Kasese.
Waragi can also be called "regular" or "super" depending on its strength.
Where to Find Waragi
About 80% of the Waragi available today is made in Uganda. A large glass of this local drink can be bought for a very low price, making it easy for many Ugandans to get.
