Published on 11/08/2025
City Business tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia hosted a heartfelt two-day commemorative celebration to mark the 50-year anniversary of the 1972 expulsion of Asians from Uganda under President Idi Amin. The gatherings began on Thursday, 7 August, at Ruparelia’s Kololo residence and continued the following evening at Speke Resort Munyonyo, where guests were treated to a grand dinner and other enjoyments.
The celebrations attracted Indians from within Uganda and across the diaspora, joined by several high-profile Ugandans, including business mogul Ephraim Ntaganda, media personality Andrew Mwenda, State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatization Evelyn Anite, Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara, Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala, and Minister of State for Internal Affairs David Muhoozi, among others.
Sudhir and his wife Jyotsna personally welcomed and served their guests, adding a warm, personal touch to the occasion.
On 4 August 1972, then-President Idi Amin ordered the expulsion of Asians—primarily of Indian descent—giving them just 90 days to leave. At the time, there were around 80,000 individuals of Indian descent in Uganda; many fled to the UK, Canada, India, Kenya, and beyond . This forced migration severely disrupted Uganda’s economy—Asians owned a significant majority of the country’s businesses and accounted for much of its tax revenues.
In the years following Idi Amin’s overthrow and the rise of President Museveni, many Asians returned. Museveni encouraged their reintegration, fostering policies that restored properties and encouraged investment.
Today, the Indian-Ugandan community, while representing less than 1% of the population, contributes significantly—up to 65%—to Uganda’s tax revenues and holds around 40% of economic influence.
Sudhir’s own story mirrors resilience having been expelled in 1972 at age 16, he fled to the UK, then returned to Uganda in 1985 with just US$25,000 earned through odd jobs.
Leveraging this modest capital, he built the Ruparelia Group, becoming one of Uganda’s most successful business figures, with a conglomerate spanning hotels, education, real estate, insurance, horticulture, and more
