This year marks the 48th anniversary of the expulsion of over 60,000 Ugandan Asians from Uganda by the brutal dictator Idi Amin. 48 years later, it is ironic that this expulsion narrative is relevant now more than ever before.
History seems to be repeating itself in Hong Kong, where the treaty passed in 1997 when Hong Kong was formally passed to the Chinese which promised that the region’s autonomy and separate identity would be respected for at least fifty years, until 2047, is now under disrepute. The Beijing Government has dismissed this treaty as ‘a historical document’ which ‘no longer had any practical significance’.
As a member of this country’s Ugandan Asian community I cannot help but feel particularly alarmed by this. So much about it reminds me of similar experiences shared by me and so many families at the time when Idi Amin expelled them from the country of my birth almost 50 years ago.
Back in 1972, at the time when Amin unleashed his murderous and psychotic campaign, Edward Heath’s Conservative government gave its firm commitment that it was Britain’s duty to help. I’m proud that Britain continue to honour its pledge in the case for Hong Kong, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab granting 3 million Hongkonger’s the option to apply for British citizenship.
The story of Ugandan Asians is therefore more relevant today than ever before and I commend Asian Voice who will commission a special, exclusive Uganda report to recollect the history of this minority group. Not only will this report help to record and safeguard the memories of thousands of the original Ugandan Asians – but it will help act as reference point for other communities in Britain and abroad who face similar challenges.
The tale of Ugandan Asians in Britain is one that makes me proud, particularly when I see how much the new generation of British Indians has excelled. In 48 years, we have come far, and I hope that our community continues to pay Britain back for what she has given us. David Cameron referred to us as, “one of the most successful groups of immigrants to any country anywhere in history.” Cameron also went on to say that it would not be long “before Britain had its first British Indian Prime Minister”. We are already beginning to see those qualities in our Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who origins come from nearby Kenya!
The Ugandan Asians have helped to transform the fabric of British society, and the children and grandchildren of those who came across are now excelling in so many fields. Today in Britain, Ugandan Asians play a sizeable role in the national economy. Not only is the number of Ugandan Asians on the rich list very sizeable, but the influence of the Ugandan Asians has also spread to British politics.
On behalf of Asian Voice, I therefore urge all readers to support this historic report at this historic time. Your participation is very welcome. I echo CB Patel’s call to invite nominations and recommendations for the Editorial Board, Advisory Panel and Ambassadors for this unique project. I also urge readers to participate and submit their stories, articles and recollections. Asian Voice also welcome the sponsorship and advertisement from businesses.
To register your interest please email [email protected].
