In Uganda, a Stranger Is Just a Drink Away From Becoming Family

This is the Ugandan month, and why not celebrate our Ugandanness?

How many times do you walk into a bar, meet a stranger, and within minutes find yourself chatting like you grew up on the same street?

A friend of mine, let us call him Aaron, once told me a story that perfectly captures this unique style of friendship.

He met a man at a bar. They drank together, laughed, and before long they were close enough to share a table. Not close enough to borrow money, but close enough to call each other bro every time they raised their glasses.

Life went on until one day this new bar buddy decided to get a loan from loan sharks.

When the collectors showed up, the man boldly told them he had friends who could pay if he failed, and without hesitation he gave Aaron’s name.

Of course, he failed to pay. Before Aaron knew it, he was being summoned to the police.

Imagine standing in front of officers and being told you are a guarantor for a man whose real name you do not even know, a man you only know as bro.

Aaron was both shocked and amused at the creativity of betrayal.

He explained to the police that their entire friendship was built on beer and barstool conversations, nothing more. He was excused while the search for the real debtor continued.

That is Uganda for you. Friendships can be made in an evening and end in a police station. One minute you are sipping together, the next you are someone’s security.

We love our friendliness. We love the instant brotherhood. But let us not lie, sometimes these Ugandan bonds are so unfounded they can escort you into problems you never budgeted for.

The moral of the story is simple. In this country, a stranger can turn into family in just one drink, but that family might also land you in handcuffs.