Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has expressed admiration for the significant contributions made by the South Asian community, particularly the Indian diaspora, to Uganda's economic development. Despite facing challenges following their mass expulsion in 1972 under the rule of Idi Amin, Museveni highlighted the resilience and positive influence of these communities.
Hosting the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kampala from January 15-20, President Museveni openly discussed the errors made by former military ruler Idi Amin, who compelled Asians, predominantly of Indian descent, to leave the country.
Reflecting on this tumultuous period, Museveni emphasized the loss of a thriving community that had invested significantly in sectors such as sugar, hotels, and steel production. The forced departure of the Indian-origin population led to a dispersion of a once-prosperous Ugandan Asian community across the globe, resulting in the loss of businesses they had painstakingly built over the years.
President Museveni lamented the missed opportunities for economic growth and development during the expulsion period. However, he also acknowledged the corrective measures taken by the Ugandan government after assuming power.
"When we came into government, we gave back the properties of our Asian citizens and non-citizens that Amin had taken from them," he stated, underlining the efforts to rectify the aftermath of Amin's actions.
Since their return to Uganda in the 1980s and 1990s, the Asian diaspora from the Indian subcontinent has once again emerged as a key pillar of the country's economy. President Museveni applauded their resilience and success, noting that these returnees had collectively established around 900 factories, showcasing their significant role in Uganda's economic resurgence.
Moreover, during the NAM summit, President Museveni acknowledged India's pivotal role in the formation and activities of the Non-Aligned Movement, reinforcing the historical ties between the two nations within the global diplomatic landscape.
