This year, British Ugandan Asians are marking 50 years since their arrival in the UK.
In 1972, President Idi Amin of Uganda announced that all Ugandan Asians must leave the country within 90 days. Over 60,000 Ugandan Asians were forced out. Around 27,000 with British passports came to the UK.
Marking the 50th anniversary of this exodus, a special “British Ugandan Asians at 50” exhibition, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, has been brought to Luton at Shree Sanatan Sewa Samaj Hindu Mandir Hall in Lewsey Farm.
The Mandir President Mr Kanti Lad said, “This exhibition celebrates the significant contributions the South Asian communities have made to British culture and community over the last half a century. It is a story of rebuilding broken lives of several families and communities and of giving back to the country that is now our home.”
The Mandir Vice President Mr Dhansukh Panchal said, “When we arrived, we were all together; Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs. We all supported one another. We have progressed together since then. We hope our harmonious relationships can continue to contribute to the growth and prosperity of British society.”
Mr Vinod Tailor, former High Sheriff and a Deputy Lieutenant in Bedfordshire recalled key highlights from his life’s journey saying it has been an incredibly rewarding and gratifying journey from refugee to becoming High Sheriff of Bedfordshire in 2017-18. He said, “No one becomes a refugee by choice; it is political and economic circumstances that displace people.” Referring to the song by Ganda Boys “The Forgotten People”, Mr Tailor said, it has become the national anthem of refugees. It is a global humanitarian anthem by and for displaced people throughout the world.
Stradishall Refugee Camp was the first home for many Ugandan Asian refugees in 1972 and 1973. Many past residents and local people who volunteered or worked at the camp at the time, including one refugee family who has lived in this area ever since have been interviewed in preparing for this exhibition. “Capturing these stories, for us, and for future generations is at the heart of our project and we're so grateful to everyone who took part in it”, stated one of the exhibition curators Lata Desai.
High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Lady Jane Clifford visited the exhibition and said, “Credit to all those who have come up with such a fantastic exhibition telling a terrifying tale of human displacement. It is an excellent presentation of life before and after the exodus of Ugandan Asians. It is remarkable to find out how Ugandan Asians set up a new life in the UK; how so many past residents of the resettlement camps and local people volunteered and worked to support refugees in these camps during the early 1970s. It just restores our faith in humanity that together we can face any adversity. It is a good example of how by supporting one another we can rebuild the broken lives to flourishing communities. It is educational as well as inspirational, particularly for the future generations.”
“British Ugandan Asians at 50” Exhibition – A wonderful way of remembering the past, valuing our present and building a better future for all. (High Sheriff Lady Jane Clifford with Vinod Tailor, former High Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenant of Bedfordshire.
Office Bearers and Committee Members of Shree Sanatan Sewa Samaj Hindu Mandir Luton at the inauguration of “British Ugandan Asians at 50” Exhibition on 4th Oct’22