President Yoweri Museveni invited the Indian Community in Uganda for a major meal yesterday (Friday) at State House Entebbe as part of the festivities for Diwali, an Indian holiday that represents the spiritual triumph of light over darkness among Indian community religions.
"I arranged a Diwali meal at State House Entebbe for Uganda's Indian community. For many decades, Gujaratis have been at the forefront of Uganda's social and industrial growth. "Only Amin regarded them as a nuisance; he did not respect the cycle of wealth creation," the President tweeted on November 4, 2022.
"I congratulate you on your Diwali this year and want you to know that Ugandans who look far and wide are really delighted with you folks; you have made a very large contribution to our economy," he remarked.
During the dinner, Mr. Museveni praised the Indian community, specifically mentioning businessman Sudhir Ruparelia (Chairman and Founder of Ruparelia Group of Companies) and tycoon Azhar Jaffer (Managing Director of Fairway Hotel), saying that these two, along with other Indian investors, have transformed Uganda socially and economically through wealth creation.
Museveni also mentioned Ugandans' long history with Indians, recalling relationships with the first four Indian families that landed in Ankole and described the connection as symbiotic.
"We had four Indian families at first, and there was no tension with them; the connection was symbiotic since we were performing diverse roles in wealth production," he said, adding that "those who removed Indians were parasites who did not appreciate the chain of wealth creation."
The President noted that there are no conflicts between money producers and wealth consumers since they complement each other, pointing to the expulsion of Indians from Uganda by wealth consumers who had little understanding of the manufacturing process.
President Museveni also promised the Indian community and the rest of Uganda that Ebola would be controlled, assuaging worries of a lockdown. "There will be no Ebola lockdown," he declared. He urged people to be extra attentive and to follow the normal protocols set in place to combat Ebola's spread.
Mr. Museveni said, "There should be no problems with children whose Indian parents are already citizens of Uganda; even those who are not citizens but often visit Uganda for business should be allowed multiple entrance visas in the nation."
The president also asked the Indian diaspora to invest more in steel and agriculture, since these are key industries for the country's future development.
"Finally, I'd want to encourage more Indian investors to come here; we still need investment in value addition in dairy, steel, agricultural, tanning, and other industries. I congratulate the Indian community and wish them happy holidays.
H.E. Ajay Kumar, the Indian High Commissioner to Uganda, remarked on the good bilateral ties that Uganda and India have maintained throughout the years. He praised the President's sustained support for the country's Indian minority.
Mr. G.N. Mohan Rao, Chairman of the Indian Association in Uganda, praised the President for his support of the Indian community. He said that the invitation to celebrate with Indians is a symbol of solidarity and inclusiveness, as well as a demonstration of the country's progress.
Sudhir Ruparelia, a businessman, also thanked the President for his compassion in celebrating Diwali with Indians. He commended the president for accepting all cultures and establishing a suitable climate in the nation for commerce and peace.
Since the Indian communities' return to Uganda in the 1980s and 1990s, the community has reconstituted itself and begun to work hard to economically strengthen the nation. Over 27000 Indians today reside peacefully in Uganda, and both populations help each other socially and economically, contributing to the country's progress.
Despite constituting just approximately 1% of Uganda's population, it is believed that Indians provide up to 65% of the country's tax earnings. Sudhir Ruparelia, of Indian descent, is Uganda's wealthiest individual, with an estimated fortune of more than $1 billion.
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