1972 Expulsion Order

Uganda

On 4 August 1972, Ugandan President Idi Amin ordered the expulsion of the country’s South Asian population, giving them ninety days to leave their settled homes and migrate elsewhere. Many of these migrants came to the UK, sometimes immediately and in some instances later. Others went to different countries, such as India, Europe, the United States or Canada. The Expulsion Order is said to have been prompted by a dream Amin had, in which he was commanded by God to expel the South Asians. Other reasons for the expulsion circulated around the Asian community being perceived as draining the economy, being complicit in corruption and refusing to integrate into mainstream Ugandan life, for example by intermarrying. South Asians remaining in Uganda after the ninety-day deadline were threatened with imprisonment in Ugandan camps.

Through expulsion, Ugandan Asians became part of a wider cohort of South Asians who came to East Africa from India and then left during the 1960s and 1970s. These South Asians left East Africa following the Second World War and the independence of colonized nations, under changing circumstances, namely political, social and economic upheaval. Many came to the UK experiencing multiple migrations. Some of these South Asians were part of the Kenyan and Tanzanian Exodus.

The estimated number of South Asians from Uganda who settled in the UK varies. Some figures tally the total arrivals at 80,000, but this is likely to be a misleading exaggeration disseminated by the National Front at the time. A more realistic estimate is around 28,000. Many of these people held British passports.

South Asians were well settled in Uganda when compelled to leave their homes, livelihoods and networks. The Ugandan Government allowed each family to leave with only £55 and one suitcase. It was on 18 September 1972 that the first flight carrying Ugandan Asians – often referred to as refugees – landed at Stansted Airport. The Ugandan Resettlement Board administered the welcome, including the temporary settlement of Asians in sixteen centres located around the UK. These camps were sometimes known as refugee camps.

On arrival, migrants faced racism and discrimination, as well as difficulties in finding jobs and housing. To prevent large numbers of Asians settling in certain cities, the Ugandan Resettlement Board’s policy was to disperse arrivals throughout the country. This policy was met with some controversy, as certain regions in the UK were declared ‘red’ zones whilst others were ‘green’ zones. Ugandan Asians were steered away from red areas while green areas were promoted and assistance provided there.

Despite these challenges, the community is well known for the way it has rejuvenated underdeveloped areas in the UK, Leicester being the most celebrated example. South Asians from Kenya and Tanzania had already settled in Leicester in the 1960s. Following the Expulsion Order, new arrivals from Uganda often sought out community networks and found Leicester to be appealing. Ironically, Leicester’s city council placed an advert in the Uganda Argus in 1972 attempting to deter migrants from coming to the city. Despite this warning, many did move there, remained in the area and have redeveloped the Belgrave Road neighbourhood, sometimes known as the Golden Mile. It is now famous for South Asian textile and clothing shops, jewellery stores and food, as well as lively Diwali celebrations.

More recently, Ugandan President Museveni has invited the South Asian expellees to return to Uganda. This was prompted by an acknowledgement of the economic contributions the community makes to Uganda.