Museveni applauds Indian community for boosting Uganda’s economy

Despite initial setbacks, climaxing in the 1972 economic war orchestrated by then-President Idi Amin Dada, the Indian community has continued to make a significant contribution to the country’s economic growth.

Reports from the ministry of Finance indicate that, whereas Indians make up less than one per cent of the population, they contribute at least 65 per cent of Uganda’s income tax revenue, a testament to their central role in national development.

Speaking during the International Diwali celebrations he hosted for the Indian Association and Indian community in Uganda at State House Entebbe on October 26, President Yoweri Museveni, commended the Indian community for their tremendous contribution towards national economic development and prosperity, and appealed to them to encourage more people to exploit the vast investment opportunities here.

“Thank you so much for your contribution to the economic development of the country. Bring more businesspeople for investments here. Encourage more people to come for tourism, also,” he said.

Museveni praised the Indian community for their entrepreneurial spirit and continued investment in factories, manufacturing, and services, sectors that now contribute significantly to Uganda’s revenue base.

“The economy is growing on account of your entrepreneurial capacities. By investing in production, value addition, and services, you are helping us build a skilled middle class and a reliable tax base to support education and social services,” he said.

Museveni further praised Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, chairman Ruparelia Group, Madhvani and Metha families, describing them as pillars of Uganda’s industrial and social progress.

“People like Sudhir Ruparelia came here with just $25,000, but under the NRM government, he has built a business empire worth $1.6 billion. This is the same land, the same people, only the vision has changed,” Museveni noted.

Diwali is an Indian festival that symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness among Indian community faiths in India; Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Muslims and some Buddhists and has been hosted in Uganda for the last six years.

On the Indians’ expulsion from Uganda, Museveni noted that by historical authority, he had a mandate to reject the mistakes of the former head of State, Idi Amin, for the expulsion of Indians from Uganda in 1972.

“There was no legitimate reason to expel the Indians. Idi Amin’s act was rubbish. Those people did not understand the theoretical and practical mistakes made that had an element of chauvinism,” he said.

Responding to the Indians’ plea to be included among the local tribes in Uganda, the President said that the Indians already have a tribe popularly known as the Bahindi.

“Actually, sociologically speaking, the Indians already have a well-known tribe like the known groups Bazungu, Bahalabu, Chinese, except that it should be considered constitutionally. The Indians are already part of Uganda society,” he said.

Museveni also expressed gratitude to the Indian community for restoring trust in Uganda’s economy after the 1972 expulsion of Asians by Amin, which saw about 80,000 Indians forced out of the country.

“I went to an Indian temple in London and found some Indians lamenting Amin’s actions. I told them that Amin did more harm to Africans than to Indians; he destroyed our economy and killed our people. I am very glad that when we called you back, you trusted Uganda again,” Museveni said.

The Indian High Commissioner to Uganda, Singh Rawat, echoed the President’s comments, thanking the government for creating a conducive investment environment.

“Under President Museveni’s leadership, Uganda has transformed into a country of opportunity and progress,” he said.

The minister for the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, also applauded the Indian community for their resilience and contribution to Uganda’s economic transformation. She called for more Indian investors to join in advancing Uganda’s industrial and social growth.

The chairman Indian Association of Uganda, Paresh Mehta, praised Museveni, saying the expulsion of Asians was more painful to Ugandans than it was for Asians themselves.

“Uganda lost a part of its productive and enterprising spirit, but it is the same land, the same people, only the vision has changed. But under your excellency’s leadership, the vision has transformed Uganda into a country of opportunity and progress,” Mehta said.

On a humanitarian front, the Indian community has donated 65,000 units of blood to hospitals, including Singo Military Training School in Nakaseke and sponsored 238 Ugandan children for life-saving heart surgeries in India, with another 100 scheduled to travel next year.

Uganda and India share deep historical ties that have matured into broad engagement across trade, investment, development cooperation, technology transfer and defence cooperation.

Accordingly, bilateral trade between the two countries has crossed the $1.2 billion mark. The 2025 Diwali celebration marked the 8th annual Diwali celebration hosted by President Museveni since 2013, a symbol of enduring friendship and mutual respect between Uganda and the Indian community.

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