Indians in Uganda
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Kampala, Jinja | |
| Languages | |
| Swahili, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Konkani | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin, Desi |
There is a sizable community of people of Indian origin living in Uganda, but it is less than in previous times. In 2003, there were an estimated 15,000 people of Asian descent (majority Indians and Pakistanis), living in Uganda compared to approximately 80,000 before 1972.
During the late 19th century, mostly Sikhs were brought to Uganda on three-year contracts, with the aid of Imperial British contractor Alibhai Mulla Jeevanjee, to build the Uganda Railway from Mombasa to Kisumu by 1901 and to Kampala by 1931. Some died, others returned to India after the end of their contracts, and others chose to stay. They were joined by Gujarati traders called "passenger Indians", both Hindu and Muslim free migrants who came to serve the economic needs of the indentured laborers and to capitalize on the economic opportunities.
Over time, Indians became prosperous and dominated the enytire economy, which led to resentment by some. These resentments came to a crisis when Idi Amin ousted Milton Obote by military coup d'état in 1971. The following year, Amin ordered the expulsion of Asians living in Uganda. As a result, many Indians migrated to the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and elsewhere and began rebuilding their lives. After Amin's death, however, more Indians who were born in Uganda started migrating back.
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