The Uganda Asians Crisis 50 Years on: From Controversy to Success

The Evening

A Panel Discussion to accompany the new exhibition: ‘Exodus – the Ugandan Asians Crisis of 1972’. The event will bring together key players to examine the mass expulsion of Uganda’s Asian community, their experiences in Britain, the political battle for acceptance and the lessons learned for policy today.

The History

In August 1972 Uganda’s President Idi Amin suddenly announced his intention to expel the Asian community from the country within 90 days. They were the beating heart of Uganda’s economy and around 30,000 of them were holders of British passports (albeit these didn’t guarantee a right of entry to Britain).  Whilst the British Government sought to reason with Amin and also to share the burden of refugees with other countries, the Government of Edward Heath accepted that Britain had a moral and humanitarian responsibility to care for the refugees.

The policy was initially supported by only 6% of the electorate and was politically courageous. The exhibition tells the story of the expulsion and how the Asians, stripped of their jobs, property and dignity came to Britain, and how the government and an army of volunteers made them welcome. It tells the story of the political struggle and how the refugees made a new life in a, sometimes, hostile climate. It is, however, a story with a moral – Britain’s compassion has been rewarded by the great contribution made to our national life by the Ugandan Asian community over the last 50 years.

Our Panel

Her Excellency Nimisha Madhvani
High Commissioner, Republic of Uganda

Rt Hon Lord (David) Hunt
Former Cabinet Minister

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown
Writer and broadcaster

Giles Foden
Author and novelist

Cllr Ravi Govindia
Leader, Wandsworth Council 2010-2022

Chair: Praveen Moman
 Founder of Volcanoes Safaris and former Government Special Adviser

The Details

When: Thursday 1st September | Drinks reception 5:30pm – 7pm | Panel Discussion 7pm (we aim to conclude the discussion at 8:30pm)
Where: The Marquee in the garden at Arundells, Cathedral Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EN
Tickets: £15
What is Included: Canapés and drinks in the garden | Access to Arundells and the Exodus exhibition during the reception

The exhibition ‘Exodus – the Ugandan Asians Crisis of 1972’ will run at Arundells from the 12th August – 1st November. Please check our opening times and prices for more information.

Kindly sponsored by

Arundells is closed to the public on a Thursday so if you arrive early, please wait by the gates and we will soon be there to let you in.

There will be loos available on site, including an accessible loo, but no there is no parking at Arundells, we recommend using city centre car parks.

All tickets are non refundable but you are very welcome to pass them on to friends or family if you are unable to attend.