“I have tasted alcohol, and it was extremely bitter; I pity those who consume it.”
The president recalled a time in 1966 when his buddies took him to a pub in Mbarara and asked him to try the drink for the first time.
President Museveni has claimed that he finds it strange that people enjoy alcohol, but that he found it so unpleasant that he stopped drinking it.
“I’d never tried alcohol before, but one of my pals persuaded me to do so. I tasted beer, which is really bitter, similar to omululuza (bitter leaf). When I inquired as to why they were drinking it, he replied, “You’ll know the sweetness afterwards.” On Tuesday, Museveni added, “I tried Johnnie Walker and it was like fire.”
The president was addressing at the Kololo independence grounds during a pass out ceremony for cadet Assistant Superintendents and non-commissioned officers for Uganda Prisons.
Museveni warned the jail officials that the future is bright for them, but only if they remain disciplined and avoid drinking, which could lead to their deaths.
“Don’t waste your time with booze and umalaya. As an elderly guy, I can attest to the value of discipline. You see, I’ll be 77 in September, yet I don’t have room for booze. I’ve never understood why people consume alcohol.”
The president recalled a time in 1966 when his buddies took him to a pub in Mbarara and asked him to try the drink for the first time.
“I tried Johnnie Walker, and it was a match made in heaven. Although it is served in little glasses, it tastes like fire in the mouth. Why should you consume this substance? What can happen to the liver and other organs if it can burn the tongue?” Museveni asked.
Museveni believes that discipline pays off, and that staying fit makes one more useful to society.
“I’ll be 77 years old and can walk any distance. Don’t gamble with your life; health is wealth. Exercising is a form of discipline, and having good health allows you to do more activities. If you are healthy, the longer you live, the more you can contribute.”
“My father passed away at the age of 97, but he spent the final 20 years of his life assisting me in the creation of the Runyankore Rukiga thesaurus. In the later portion of his life, I was able to compose it with his help. I would have missed his contribution if he had died.”
