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The Blue Moon
Diplomatic Circle

Indians in Uganda worked for the development of their Home

race Akello, the High Commissioner of Uganda in India, speaks of Indians as her brothers and sisters. She speaks highly of the Indian migrants who went to
Uganda several years ago and made it their home. They contributed to the growth of their home country. They came as small retailers, but with the passage of
Gtime grew into big business. Many of them took employment in strategic positions. Several are posted today in big positions in and outside Uganda. She
speaks passionately about Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru who inspired Ugandans to achieve independence from the British. THE Blue MOON editor Amit Mittal had
an opportunity to speak to her. Here are some excerpts from the interview :

What led President Idi Amin during the sectors. There are cooperation. 450 out of 100000
early 70s expel Indians living in thousands who own infants die during delivery.
Uganda and seize their properties? s u p e r m a r k e t s ; Transportation of pregnant to the
During the reign of President b u i l d i n g basic health care centres is a
Amin in early 70's, nearly 60,000 infrastructure sold problem. The government is
persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) by them. Own a doing, but it is not enough.
were expelled from Uganda. string of hotels, I see a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi in
However, with coming to power before being ousted your office.
of the current President Gen they were in all He was an inspiration although
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in 1986, spheres of life. Jawahar Lal Nehru was closest to
the anti-Indian policies were I n B u g a n d a a n Uganda.
reversed. Several progressive Indian lady became
steps like restoring properties member of the local Uganda High Commissioner in New Delhi Grace New Infrastructure to connect to the
seized from PIOs ensured that the assembly. Akello port?
b i l a t e r a l r e l a t i o n s w e r e the early Ugandan activists to Now we are building a pipeline
normalized. The relations have Was the problem with Indians non- fight colonization and eventually through Musoma through
since prospered. President Idi integration in the society? achieved freedom in 1962. Tanzania which will connect
Amin was of the impression that Indians came and set up home in directly to the sea.
Indians were milking the cow Uganda. They set up retail What does India import from Uganda?
without feeding it and wanted businesses which flourished Most of buyers are Arabs but now
them out of the country. There while the Ugandans looked up to India is coming on board. They
were a million Indians before Idi Indians as their elder sister buy agricultural produce leather
Amin. They were concentrated in asking them to show them how to products; lentils, legumes; beans.
JINJA . They owned cane sugar do it.
cultivation in huge quantities. India established its diplomatic Uganda is known for its coffee? Carries an
Madhwani, a sugar baron owned presence in Uganda in 1965, even Two types of Coffee is grown in
9700 hectares sugar cane fields. though relationship between the country. Robusta is grown in Ambassador’s
Mehta employed 7000 people. both countries dates back to the low lying areas. interview every
Today the two biggest sugar era when traders exchanged
barons in Uganda are Indians; goods in dhows across Indian Is there lack of basic health care in month
they have settled in that country Ocean. Eventually a number of Uganda? on this page
and have contributed in its Indians settled in East Africa, and We have money to take care of
growth. There are many others many made Uganda their home. basic health. However, health
who hold key posts in various India's freedom struggle inspired personnel are not trained. Need

Wildlife of Uganda

Buffalo Crocodiles Elephants

Giraffes Giant Forest Hog Grey crowned crane
16 Feb - 15 Mar 2018 The Blue Moon 3