Spirit of Uganda · Banana Gin
Uganda Waragi
Photo: Peter b / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Its name comes from British colonial troops calling home-brewed liquor 'war gin,' which locals shortened over time into 'waragi.'
Waragi is a clear, triple-distilled spirit traditionally made from bananas, positioned somewhere between gin and a rum; the bottled version has been produced commercially since shortly after Uganda's independence in 1962. It's poured in bars and at street-side gatherings across the country, often mixed simply with soda or fruit juice.
Why it's made this way: Home-brewed versions using bananas, millet, or cassava have circulated in Uganda for generations, and the bottled brand grew into a genuine national symbol, nicknamed 'the spirit of Uganda.'
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