I believe this is a new writer for Ugpulse - My warm welcome to you and what a very apt article!!! I enjoyed re-visiting the origins and nostalgia surrounding these traditional alcoholic drinks.
It also brought back memories of Kisenyi on the occasions I ventured to check it out in search of a lost relative who got married to this 'locality' and just could never divorce from it nor it's patrons! I remember the malwa consumption by guests alike to our home as a young child but also recall thinking they were drinking porridge out of straws that made them get very loud. I didn't much care for this porridge though - for starters it smelt and tasted funny. I don't recall those that drunk it being dirty however - indeed a pot to be shared it seemed like you 'qualified' for the priviledge! I do recall Kisenyi being a slum area although I do not blame this entirely on the malwa but rather due to the priorities of those that go about the nature of their business - then again, when one is taken to alcohol, it's usually not the surroundings where he/she consumes it from that feature greatly, but rather that the glass or bottle is full each time it's tipped into their mouth.
Vision - if my mind serves me correct, I think for the malwa, the ingredients were either fermented sorgum/millet hence the porridge-like state, on yeast. The hot water had to be added to stop it thickening up as this I believe was intended to be consumed in a social setting and at times the discussions became heated - more so than the malwa, hence the requirement to keep adding hot water! I guess the equivalent to this kind of drink here would be mulled wine minus the thickness!
As for tonto, mwenge bigere...well that's something for another day! Guess it calls for the experts to shed light on the names they even allocated the glasses these drinks were served in like lubeere etc... BTW - how come waragi didn't get a word in?
All said - some of these local beverages tend to work wonders on functions held in the village and by far work out to be more economical. Malwa although I personally do not drink it out of taste, is much more nourishing as an alcoholic drink than your average spirit or wine that is sold at extortionate rates over in Ug especially!
"Worrying is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere."