If you ask the Itesots of Uganda to host any social function, you can be sure that ajon or malwa will be on the menu. Indeed, whereas many other indigenous Ugandans are steadily upgrading to factory brewed beers and spirits, the Itesots (sometimes called Ateso) continue to sip their ajon with pride.

Itesots do not only love the taste of their locally brewed alcoholic drink, more of them have now mastered the art of brewing ajon compared to the past.

The Bagwere are an agricultural tribe who occupy the eastern Uganda districts of Pallisa and Budaka and are believed to have come from Bulamogi and Bugabula where they had settled briefly after the collapse of the Chwezi Dynasty and the subsequent arrival of the Luo.


Their dialect, Lugwere, is said by historians, to be a mixture of three languages including Lusoga, Lulamogi and Lugisu. This could probably have resulted from intermarriages between these three tribes. It is therefore easily recognisable that these three languages (Lusoga, Lulamogi and Lugwere) share a lot and are virtually indistinguishable.

Unitary, strong-minded, go-getting or sincere; any of these terms might be an appropriate description for the Acholi. For a long time, this Ugandan tribe has been so culturally diverse that it is hard to describe Uganda without mentioning it.


Dwelling in the northern Uganda districts of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader, the Acholi (who are arguably Uganda's third largest tribe) have for long maintained unique cultural traditions that date from as far back as the times of their great ancestors; Gipiir and Labong. These traditions are highlighted by the many ceremonies the Acholi hold, one of them being marriage.

Last week, Minister Jessica Alupo’s fiancé paid Shs 62 million for her bride price. Bride price transactions are a very, very old occurrence throughout Africa.

This practice is still extensive in contemporary African society and has attracted both critical and supportive voices. Among the peoples of western Uganda, dowry or bride price is known as 'enjuugano' and was very much practiced (still is) just like in other parts of Africa.


Traditionally and universally, for Africans who practice this custom, the payment is usually in the form of cattle since cattle were the primary source of wealth in African society. However, with modern trends setting in, people have switched to cash payments. The process of paying bride price can be quite long and complex.