Indians in Uganda

There is a sizable community of people of Indian origin living in Uganda, known as Ugandan Asians, but it is less than in previous times. In 2003, there were an estimated 15,000 people of Asian descent (majority Indians and Pakistanis) living in Uganda compared to approximately 80,000 before they were expelled by dictator Idi Amin in 1972.[1]

Ugandan Indians
Regions with significant populations
Kampala, Jinja
Languages
Swahili, English, Gujarati, Malayalam, Sindhi, Urdu, Kutchi, Marathi, Hindi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Konkani, Telugu, Bengali
Religion
Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Jainism
Related ethnic groups
Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin

Many returned to Uganda in the 1980s and 1990s and have once again gone on to dominate the country's economy.[2] Despite making up less than 1 percent of the population they are estimated to contribute up to 65% of the country's tax revenues.[2] Sudhir Ruparelia, an Asian, is the richest man in Uganda and has an estimated fortune of $1 billion.[2]

History

During the late 19th century, mostly Punjabi Sikhs were brought to Uganda on three-year contracts, with the aid of Imperial British contractor Alibhai Mulla Jeevanjee, to build the Uganda Railway from Mombasa to Kisumu by 1901 and to Kampala by 1931. Some died, others returned to India after the end of their contracts, and others chose to stay. They were joined by Gujarati traders called "passenger Indians", both Hindu and Muslim free migrants who came to serve the economic needs of the indentured laborers and to capitalize on the economic opportunities.[3][4]

Over time, Indians became prosperous and dominated much of the Ugandan economy, which prompted the rise of resentment and Indophobia.[3] These resentments came to a crisis when Idi Amin ousted Milton Obote by military coup d'état in 1971. The following year, Amin ordered the expulsion of Asians living in Uganda.[5] As a result, many Indians migrated to the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and elsewhere and began rebuilding their lives. After Amin's death, however, more Indians who were born in Uganda started migrating back.[6][7]

Notable Ugandan people of Indian descent or notable people of Indian-Ugandan descent

References
  1. Lacey, Marc (17 August 2003). "Once Outcasts, Asians Again Drive Uganda's Economy". New York Times. New York City. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  2. Dawood, Farhana (15 May 2016). "Ugandan Asians dominate economy after exile". www.bbc.com. BBC News. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  3. Ember, Melvin. "Encyclopedia of Diasporas: Immigrant and Refugee Cultures Around the World. Volume II: Diaspora Communities". Springer Science & Business Media. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  4. Hiralal, Kalpana (1994). "Indian Family Businesses in Natal, 1870–1950" (PDF). Natal Society Foundation. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  5. Dowden, Richard (4 August 1992). "Short-sighted demagogue who played the race card: Idi Amin expelled the Asians 20 years ago. Richard Dowden, Africa Editor, explains why the decision was supported by Ugandans". The Independent. London. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  6. Cohen, Ronald Lee, 1944- (1997). Global diasporas: an introduction. University of Washington Press. ISBN 0-295-97620-9. OCLC 318266657.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. Rajani, Rupal (6 August 2012). "Ugandan Asians: Life 40 years on". London: BBC Asian Network. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
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