Dear readers, a Ugandan Asian will never be able to forget 4th August 1972, wherever he/she dwells. We spoke with some friends/brothers who stayed in Uganda at that time and have grown old during the last five decades. We asked them, “Did you hear the chants of Idi Amin? What was your first reaction at that time?”
Well-known social worker and member of the ABPL family, Shri Kanti Nagda very well remembers that period. Remembering those times, he says that we heard the news on the Radio between 3-4 pm in the afternoon and felt that this seems to be a part of the habit of this man to show a variety of tantrums regularly. We took the whole thing very lightly at that time, but as days passed we understood the seriousness of the matter. We invited Kantibhai to write a detailed account of - What did he hear? What was his experience? How did he pass the days there?
The first episode of this seen-by-his-own-eyes-heard-by-his-own-ears account has been published in Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice.
A wave of anxiety swept across the entire Indian community living in Uganda as well as the Asian community. At that time three types of Asians lived in Uganda – Asian passport holders, British passport holders and Ugandan passport holders. The shameful verbal attack of Idi Amin continued on prosperous Asians including Uganda’s richest and most respected Madhvani family’s Manubhai Madhvani and Mayur Madhvani. Manubhai Madhvani was even imprisoned during this period. However, his presence of mind, family reputation, social services and international fame, enabled him to get released from prison. The family struggled to successfully pass through the difficult days.
On the other hand, the ouster of dictator Idi Amin continued. A Commonwealth Minister from the UK also arrived in Uganda to explain it. But Idi Amin was a maverick! (Who else will order the deportation of the Asian community who enriched their country?!) He became more furious. He organised a public program in Kampala’s stadium. Not only that, he got a palanquin prepared like the king-emperors and sat in it himself. This palanquin was also supported by the British High Commissioner. Many such gimmicks were done by him. We will discuss it, as we go ahead, and try to understand his mentality. Well, Idi Amin was mad, but his 'insanity' infected a section of people here too. However, it was of a different kind. This infection was racism.
A conservative section across the UK, including London, crossed the limits of puffing up to protest the arrival of Asian migrants expelled from Uganda. In April 1968, Enoch Powell railed against the arrival of undocumented immigrants to Britain in the River of Blood speech. As reports spread that British passport holders who had suffered the ouster of Idi Amin were coming to London, protests were held against it. Around 400 porters from London's Pittsfield Meat Market took to the streets. Leicester City Council published an advertisement in Uganda's main newspaper 'Uganda Argus' stating that Leicester is overcrowded, there is no room for you, don't come...
The world may be full of mavericks, but the majority is of wise people! Edward Heath, the Conservative Prime Minister of the time, showed true preservation of British values, heritage and the tradition of justice. Undeterred by the fierce opposition of racist conservatives, he announced that British passport holders and their dependents would definitely come here and that Britain was committed to accepting them.
The preparation was started to welcome Uganda’s Asian immigrants. By December 1972 the government also started refugee camps at 12 places in Britain. Even greater, and more important, than the positive attitude of the Heath government was that (despite many attempts to spread the poison of racism) the British citizenry thus demonstrated great understanding, sensitivity and civility.
Those were the days of severe cold. This was a new type of environment for our brothers.
Many locals (non-Asians and whites) reached the refugee camp with everything from clothes and necessities to toys for children. Scared and despondent Asians who came with only worn clothes and empty hands were given the opportunity to live a good life. This sense of generosity and sentimental warmth shown by British citizens sustained the Asians here.
It goes without saying that several stalwarts like Mrs Mary Dines, Vishnu Sharma, Dilbag Channa, Navneetbhai Dholakia, Ian Martin, and MP Eric Lubbock contributed handsomely to our society's vigilant supporters. One thing that definitely needs mention here is that the desperate Ugandan Asian community in Britain has proved to be truly unique to this country.
When the Asian community left Uganda, they left everything behind including their wealth, their thriving businesses and real-estates including land and houses – however, they came here with a golden heart. These people who came with only the clothes they were wearing, worked very hard. They worked day and night. Those who previously owned factories worked as labourers in factories here. Women's power also showed its competence. Sisters, who grew up with a lavish lifestyle in the comfort of servants, cars and villas, worked as hard as they could. This period of struggle also passed, and by the end of the decade, this class had achieved such prosperity that local people found it unbelievable. Be it in Leicester or any other place, the once miserable-helpless-despairing Asian community went on to reach zeniths of success and achievements.
Meanwhile, Yoweri Museveni became the President of Uganda. Over 500,000 Ugandan-Africans died under Idi Amin's oppressive regime. It became clear to the Ugandan government and people that without Ugandan-Asians, the country's economic and administrative system would collapse. New arrivals were publicly invited to come from Britain, India or other countries. In 1985 President Museveni came to London and publicly apologised for the painful and embarrassing events of the previous year in a grand public event. The event was held at the historic Westminster Abbey opposite the Parliament. I also attended the event along with Shri Manubhai Madhvani, Sir JK Gohel and some of our seniors.
All these things will be mentioned in the series of articles by Shri Kanti Nagada. Asians, especially Indians and Gujaratis, have been making significant contributions to the prosperity of today's Uganda and the people there are also willingly accepting it. The progress and success of the Ugandan Asian is a glorious achievement of our people. Its 50th anniversary should also be celebrated properly.
Friends associated with this period in one way or another, have been invited to write down all these experiences. All these things, experiences, and events are what make us proud. If you read it, you will feel that this is about me – us.
PS.: In the 'Sangh Shakti Yuge Yuge' section of this column, written under the heading 'Bhav-Pratibhava' in last week's issue, there is a list of those present at the meeting held there by the Chandrakant Bhatt family. Apart from him, Shri Mahendrabhai Kothari, Narendrabhai Kothari, as well as Kantaben, Sumitraben, Kusumben Mehta were also present in the meeting. These people have also made appreciable contributions to the service of society. Out of these, Mr Mahendrabhai Kothari is still rendering good service in Navnat Vanik society. (To be continued)
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Readers, as you all know, we announced when we published the 'Kenya Feature' in September - 2019 that the Uganda Feature is now underway. However, due to the corona pandemic, this planning was disrupted. Now that public life is returning to normal, we have once again taken up this special work. In the meantime, Lord Dolar Popat and Councillor Ameet Jogia MBE have prepared a report called 'Uganda Report'. This report beautifully weaves the saga of the Asian community rising from the ashes like a phoenix. Preparations are underway to publish a feature covering this report and other details in the coming days.
