On August 4, 1972, Uganda’s President Idi Amin Dada announced that he had received a divine dream in which God ‘instructed’ him to order the expulsion of Asians from Uganda.
He provided a 90-day ultimatum for them to leave the country. This decree primarily targeted the South Asian population, predominantly of Indian descent, who had been an integral part of Uganda’s economic and social fabric since the colonial era.
Initially, around 50,000 Asians with British passports were targeted, but on August 9, the order was expanded to include citizens of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, affecting approximately 80,000 people.
Besides claiming a divine revelation, Idi Amin argued that his decision to expel the Asians was based on the interests of Uganda’s economy.
“Actually, I took this decision for the economy of Uganda, and I must make sure that every Ugandan gets the fruits of independence,” he stated.
Idi Amin Orders for the Expulsion of Indians from Uganda
Additionally, he argued that Uganda had not fully gained independence after the British left in 1962 and would only be free once the Indians departed.
“Uganda is still not yet independent. Uganda will only be independent after this decision. I want to see all the streets in Kampala free of Indians and the people in those streets must be proper black, and administration in those shops must be managed by Ugandans. All Asians must go back to their countries,” said Amin.
Furthermore, Amin claimed that his decision was also influenced by the Asians’ perceived refusal to integrate with Ugandans since their arrival. He warned of severe consequences for any Asians who did not comply with his order.
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Amin also stated that his decision to expel the Indian community from Uganda was intended to teach Britain a lesson, asserting that they were responsible for bringing the Indian population to Uganda to construct the railway.
“I am teaching the British a lesson. I am correcting them for the mistake they made. If they had thought earlier that there were Africans who could work and build the railway with instructions from the British, this problem would not have happened,” Amin said.
Uganda’s Economy Dwindles After Expulsion of Asians
Moreover, Amin indicated that he did not mind if his relationship with Britain deteriorated as a result of his decision, asserting that the British had been of no help to him.
Following his announcement of expulsion, Amin offered the Indian population to Britain, stating that since many held British passports, the British government was responsible for them.
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Initially reluctant, the British government ultimately accepted around 27,000 Ugandan Asians under pressure and humanitarian concerns, establishing the Ugandan Resettlement Board to aid their integration into the UK.
The immediate aftermath of the expulsion saw Uganda’s economy suffer significantly. The expelled Asians had been a vital part of the business community, and their departure resulted in the collapse of many businesses, increased unemployment, and a decline in production. The economic void left by their expulsion was deeply felt across the nation.
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