By Abubakar Bin Siraji
KISORO DISTRICT
John Businge, an original Mutwa man and a resident of Nyabaremura Village in Rubuguri town council, Kisoro district who celebrated his 102nd birthday on Feb 8, 2024 says one of the keys to living a long life is taking care of one’s body.
“I can’t really give advice but I would say, try to take care of your body, treat the body very nice. Don’t ill-treat the body, treat the body as you should,” Businge told this reporter from his Nyabaremura home on Friday, 9th February, 2024.
“Eat and drink when you can get because when you can’t get, you can’t get,” he said.
Businge was born in Nyabaremura village, Rubuguri town council on Feb 09, 1922 where he is today.
The father of nine, who has outlived one of his children, says he feels great about his milestone.
“I am alright, I’m quite alright,” he said while in the company of his grandson, Daniel.
When asked about his work life, Businge said he did all sorts of jobs, from using a cutlass for making a living, to working as a labourer.
“I used to do all sorts of work, all sorts of work. I work all about,” he said while noting that he has no idea why he has lived so long, but he is thankful.
“I can’t tell you that,” he said when asked about his recipe for long life, “you have to ask the Saviour in heaven about that.”
When asked about his diet growing up, he said he ate all types of food, but was never really fond of dasheen, tannia and rice.
“When I was growing up, long time food not like this time food, it was different food. Now, all kind of restaurant food now, and long time you could not get that,” he said.
Businge’s wife, 89 was born on March 10th, 1935 and the elderly man says he has never loved another woman all his life.
Businge does not suffer from hypertension or diabetes but his grandson, Daniel says his walking has never slowed, his hearing is as sharp as before and his eyes are not weak.
He says his diet consists of milk, porridge, eggs and soup, among other foods.
“I feel good that the Lord in heaven gave me the health and the strength to grant me long life to live until today, praise God for that,” Businge concluded.
