Ugandan British
Encyclopedia
Ugandan migration to the United Kingdom refers to the movement of people from Uganda
. Today, a small proportion of people in the United Kingdom
were either born in Uganda, or have Ugandan ancestry.
Uganda became independent in 1962, but immigration from what is now the modern nation to the UK was occurring for decades before, and still continues today. The main reason for the United Kingdom's large Ugandan born community (and the many tens of thousands more British born people of Ugandan descent) is that prior to 1962, Uganda was under British rule and was part of the British Empire
. Uganda remains a part of the Commonwealth
and the English language
has official status in the country to this day. In 1972 almost 60,000 Asian
Ugandans were expelled from the country
by President Idi Amin
, and it is likely that these refugees who came to the UK would have responded as Asian British in the 2001 UK census. The majority of the more recent Ugandan immigrants to the UK, and a large proportion of British born people of Ugandan descent are ethnically Sub-Saharan African (according to the 2002 Ugandan Census around 70% of the country's population belongs to an indigenous ethnic group), although as stated earlier, a lot of the people responding in the 2001 Census to a Ugandan birth place are East African Asians
.
In 2001, including those of Ugandan descent, there could be in excess of 100,000 Ugandan Britains, with the overwhelming majority living in and around London
, although 11,000 Asian Ugandans still live in Leicester
.
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
. Today, a small proportion of people in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
were either born in Uganda, or have Ugandan ancestry.
Uganda became independent in 1962, but immigration from what is now the modern nation to the UK was occurring for decades before, and still continues today. The main reason for the United Kingdom's large Ugandan born community (and the many tens of thousands more British born people of Ugandan descent) is that prior to 1962, Uganda was under British rule and was part of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. Uganda remains a part of the Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
and the English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
has official status in the country to this day. In 1972 almost 60,000 Asian
Indian diaspora in East Africa
The Indian diaspora in Africa refers to people of Indian origin living in Africa. Most Indians in Africa arrived in the 19th century as British indentured labourers, many of them to work on the Kenya-Uganda railway, while others had arrived earlier by sea as traders....
Ugandans were expelled from the country
Expulsion of Asians in Uganda in 1972
On 4 August 1972, the then President of Uganda, Idi Amin, ordered the expulsion of his country's Indian minority, giving them 90 days to leave Uganda...
by President Idi Amin
Idi Amin
Idi Amin Dada was a military leader and President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Amin joined the British colonial regiment, the King's African Rifles in 1946. Eventually he held the rank of Major General in the post-colonial Ugandan Army and became its Commander before seizing power in the military...
, and it is likely that these refugees who came to the UK would have responded as Asian British in the 2001 UK census. The majority of the more recent Ugandan immigrants to the UK, and a large proportion of British born people of Ugandan descent are ethnically Sub-Saharan African (according to the 2002 Ugandan Census around 70% of the country's population belongs to an indigenous ethnic group), although as stated earlier, a lot of the people responding in the 2001 Census to a Ugandan birth place are East African Asians
British Asian
British Asian is a term used to describe British citizens who descended from mainly South Asia, also known as South Asians in the United Kingdom...
.
In 2001, including those of Ugandan descent, there could be in excess of 100,000 Ugandan Britains, with the overwhelming majority living in and around London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, although 11,000 Asian Ugandans still live in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
.
See also
- Expulsion of Asians in Uganda in 1972Expulsion of Asians in Uganda in 1972On 4 August 1972, the then President of Uganda, Idi Amin, ordered the expulsion of his country's Indian minority, giving them 90 days to leave Uganda...
- Black BritishBlack BritishBlack British is a term used to describe British people of Black African descent, especially those of Afro-Caribbean background. The term has been used from the 1950s to refer to Black people from former British colonies in the West Indies and Africa, who are residents of the United Kingdom and...
- British Mixed
- British IndianBritish IndianThe term British Indian refers to citizens of the United Kingdom whose ancestral roots lie in India. This includes people born in the UK who are of Indian descent, and Indian-born people who have migrated to the UK...
- British Pakistani
- African migration to Britain
- Demographics of UgandaDemographics of UgandaThis article is about the demographic features of the population of Uganda, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.-Ethnic Diversity:...