Expulsion of Asians from Uganda participant Idi Amin
In early August 1972, the President of Uganda Idi Amin ordered the expulsion of his country's Indian minority, giving them 90 days to leave the country. At the time of the expulsion, there were about 80,000 individuals of Indian descent in Uganda, of whom 23,000 had their applications for citizenship both processed and accepted. The expulsion took place against the backdrop of anti-Indian sentiment and black supremacy in Uganda, with Amin accusing a minority of the Indians of disloyalty, non-integration, and commercial malpractice, claims that Indian leaders disputed. Amin defended the expulsion by arguing that he was "giving Uganda back to ethnic Ugandans".Many of those who were expelled were citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies and 27,200 emigrated to the United Kingdom. Of the other refugees who were accounted for, 6,000 went to Canada, 4,500 refugees ended up in India and 2,500 went to nearby Kenya or to Pakistan. In total, some 5,655 firms, ranches, farms, and agricultural estates were confiscated, along with cars, homes and other household goods.The explusion did significant damage to both Uganda's economy and international reputation. Many world leaders condemned the explusion and several nations, particularly the United Kingdom and India cut diplomatic ties as a result. The economy suffered a significant drop in GDP as many native Ugandans were unable to ultilize the newly acquired businesses as they lack the know how. Following Yoweri Museveni becoming president, some Indian Ugandans returned during the 1990s, which helped the economy recover.