{UAH} Uganda 'regrets' expulsion of Asians by Idi Amin

Uganda 'regrets' expulsion of Asians by Idi Amin

BBC Focus on Africa radio

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Many Asians expelled from Uganda settled in the UK city of LeicesterImage caption: Many Asians expelled from Uganda settled in the UK city of Leicester

Fifty years after Ugandan Asians were forced to leave the country by leader Idi Amin, the country's foreign minister says such decision will never be made again.

"We have expressed our regrets on many occasions and given reassurances that never again will we allow such a thing happen to the Asians or any minority group in our country," Henry Okello told the BBC.

More than 27,000 Asians were expelled by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in 1972, and thousands settled in Leicester.

Mr Okello said at the time "Indians were the major merchants... every aspect of business belonged to Indians".

Those expelled have previously complained of lack of adequate compensation by the Ugandan government, but the minister says their lack faith in the new administration was the problem.

"Some did not have faith in the current government and when their properties were given back to them they quickly sold them off for peanuts," he said.

Mr Okello said there was "a lot that still needs to be done to ensure there is more assimilation of Asians in Uganda" even as cases of mixed marriages grow.

"Things have changed now. Today there's a new leadership, there's a new spirit and they should take advantage of it," he added.

More on this topic:

• Ugandan Asians recall the trauma of fleeing their homes 50 years on
• Leicester plays mark 50th anniversary of Ugandan Asian exodus
• Ugandan Asian family remembers 1972 expulsion by Idi Amin

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