President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended the Indian community in Uganda for their remarkable contribution to the country’s economic growth, despite making up less than one percent of the population.
Speaking during the Diwali celebrations held at State House, Entebbe, President Museveni praised the 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,” President Museveni said.
According to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Indian community contributes at least 65 percent of Uganda’s income tax revenue, a testament to their central role in national development.
President Museveni also expressed gratitude to the Indian community for restoring trust in Uganda’s economy after the 1972 expulsion of Asians by former President Idi 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.
He further appreciated Indian investors such as the Ruparelia, Madhvani, and Mehta 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.
The Indian High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Singh Rawat, echoed the President’s sentiments, 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, Hon. Babirye Milly 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.
On a humanitarian front, the Indian community has donated 65,000 units of blood to hospitals and sponsored 238 Ugandan children for life-saving heart surgeries in India, with another 100 scheduled to travel next year.
Uganda and India continue to enjoy deep historical ties in trade, technology, development cooperation, and defense. Bilateral trade between the two countries has now surpassed USD 1.2 billion.
The 2025 Diwali celebration marked the 8th annual Diwali Dinner hosted by President Museveni since 2013, a symbol of enduring friendship and mutual respect between Uganda and the Indian community.
