Dr. Sudhir Joins Museveni At State House For Diwali Celebrations Boosting Uganda–India Friendship

By Frank Kamuntu

It was an evening of color, grace, and glittering lamps of fortune at State House Entebbe over the weekend as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Maama Janet Museveni hosted members of Uganda’s Indian community to celebrate Diwali 2025, the Festival of Lights.

President Museveni congratulated the Indian community on the occasion and thanked them for their continued faith in Uganda’s peace, stability, and economic growth. He reflected on the painful chapter of the 1972 expulsion under Idi Amin and the remarkable resilience of those who later returned to rebuild both their lives and the country’s economy.

“Uganda’s citizenship is inclusive; all our people came from somewhere,” the President said, calling for unity and emphasizing that shared purpose should always rise above ancestry. He praised the Indian community for their hard work, innovation, and contribution to national development, saying their efforts have helped drive Uganda’s economic engine, created jobs, paid taxes, and transferred valuable business knowledge that continues to empower Ugandans.

Among the distinguished guests was Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, one of Uganda’s most prominent business figures of Indian descent. His presence was symbolic of the deep and enduring relationship between Uganda and its Indian community, a partnership that has evolved from hardship to harmony.

The story of the Indian community in Uganda stretches back to the late 19th century, when thousands of Indians were brought by the British to build the Uganda Railway. Many remained after the project’s completion and established shops, factories, and banks that became central to East Africa’s trade and commerce. This progress was abruptly disrupted in 1972 when President Idi Amin ordered all Asians to leave the country within 90 days, accusing them of exploiting Uganda’s economy. Over 70,000 families were expelled and their assets seized, plunging the nation into economic turmoil.

When President Museveni’s government came to power in the mid-1980s, it opened the door for those who had been expelled to return. Many accepted the invitation and came back to rebuild, breathing new life into an economy that had suffered from their absence. Their comeback stands today as a testament to resilience, forgiveness, and renewal.

Among the names that shine in this story is the late Sherali Bandali Jaffer, founder of Fairway Hotel and Uganda’s first Member of Parliament for Kampala Central under the Kabaka Yekka party. When he was forced into exile by Amin’s decree, Jaffer rebuilt his life in Canada and India but continued to support fellow Ugandans who fled the regime. He offered them food, shelter, and assistance in processing legal documents, ensuring they could live with dignity abroad. His compassion transcended borders and politics.

When peace was restored, the Jaffer family returned home and restored Fairway Hotel into one of Uganda’s hospitality landmarks. Sherali’s legacy of service and humanity lived on through his daughter, Senator Mobina Jaffer, who became the first African-born woman appointed to the Canadian Senate and later served as a United Nations peace envoy to Darfur, championing women’s rights and peacebuilding across Africa. In recognition of his humanitarian work, Sherali Jaffer was recently honored by the Pan African Pyramid Global Awards as one of Africa’s unsung Pan-African heroes, a fitting tribute to a man who embodied forgiveness and unity.

As the lights of Diwali sparkled across the lawns of State House, the evening became more than just a celebration of a cultural festival. It was a powerful reminder of reconciliation and shared destiny. Uganda and her Indian community have come full circle, moving from a history of expulsion to one of trust, growth, and mutual respect.

President Museveni’s Diwali dinner symbolized that transformation. It underscored Uganda’s belief that diversity is not a burden but a blessing, and that every community, regardless of its origin, has a stake in building the nation’s future. As business leaders like Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia joined in a toast to friendship and progress, one message shone brighter than the hundreds of Diwali lamps that lit the night sky: the bond between Uganda and its Indian community continues to grow stronger, lighting the path toward a future defined by unity, prosperity, and peace.