Monday November 14, 2022
by Ruth Aman
Monday evening at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Hall, a diverse crowd gathered to celebrate and reflect upon a somber past of shared history between Uganda, India and Canada. The Uganda Association of Ottawa and the Ugandan South Asian Community organized the Uganda 50/60 Reception: A Commemoration of our Shared History inviting members of the community and Canada’s general public. Roughly seventy individuals, all of different background and histories, came together for this event. Many came as this history was the history of their fathers and grandfathers, such as Farouk who came all the way from Vancouver and was of Indian descent. He proudly exclaimed, “My father assisted in the independence of Uganda”, and pointed to the silver medal on his jacket, which was created and given to armed forces, government members, and civil servants of Uganda on October 9th 1962. Recent immigrants from Uganda also were present at this event.
For the first few moments of the event, guests were given a time to connect and network with each other in the room. Hosts walked around and introduced themselves while others met with their friends and colleagues and had time to catch up. As the clock struck 5:30, all were asked to sit and face the front as it was now the time to begin the event with the singing of the anthems ‘O Canada’ and ‘Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty.’ Also, a land acknowledgement was presented by beloved community member Auntie Catherine. The MC of the event was Sarah Onyango, Community Outreach Officer with Black History Ottawa, a woman familiar to Ottawa’s radio and television scene for over a decade and a popular figure in Ottawa’s Black Community. Sarah opened the event and introduced the four individuals who would be speaking: President of the Uganda Association of Ottawa David Kajoba; Professor Michael Molloy; Deputy High Commissioner Helen Kosozi, and Member of Parliament Arif Virani.
Kajoba spoke a warm welcome to all guests and then proceeded with a brief reflection on the reason for the gathering. The nation of Uganda, also known as the Pearl of Africa, was a nation subjugated to colonialism and exploitation at the hands of the British Empire. In order to assist with certain projects in the nation such as the creation of the Uganda Railway, the British Empire relocated around 35-40,000 individuals of Indian descent. These South-Asians then settled within the fabric of society by creating their own business and communities. Not only were they very successful economically, but they also held positions of power within the nation. Independence of the nation was declared on October 9th 1962. In the next ten years the nation underwent many changes that changed the trajectory of Uganda’s history forever. General Idil Amin seized power in January 1971 in a military coup and ruled the nation with force and brutality. In 1972, Amin sent out a decree expelling all Indians from the land, permanently and immediately. This motion sent the nation through panic as individuals who had lived in Uganda and started families, business, and their livelihoods, had to pack up all they possessed and leave within 90 days. Now, 50 years later, those who were affected by this moment in history have gathered to look back.
Kajoba concluded his remarks by giving a few reasons as to why it is important to reflect back on this moment in history. He stated that as a ‘grandchild of the independence generation’ remembrance of this moment solidifies that Uganda exists as an independent nation free from any outsider intervention while also celebrating the brotherhood of Ugandans and South Asians. Each group played a necessary part in Uganda’s history, therefore, all histories and all versions of Uganda ought to be celebrated.
Following Kajoba was Professor Michael Molloy, who once worked in the Department of Immigration and first hand saw the Expulsion come into place. He firstly spoke about his initial encounter with the nation of Uganda. Recognizing that it was a special nation he came and visited again. However this time it happened to be the exact moment that the Expulsion order had come. This meant he saw first hand the realities and horrors of all those at the time. Molloy was part of the team that brought the Ugandan Asians into Canada and he stated that they moved 6000 people to Canada on 31 charter flights that all landed on a military base in Montreal. One thing that captivated his heart was the ‘spirit’ they had. These individuals had just experienced one of the most traumatic events of their life, yet, they were still cheerful, giving, and warm. Molloy ended his remarks by speaking to the character and heart of all Ugandans as they are unique in the way they consistently reach to those who had been sent away. He said, ‘I’ve never seen a nation that stretches its hands out to its lost children like Uganda’.
Representing the High Commission of Uganda in Canada was Deputy High Comissioner Helen Kosozi. Kosozi spoke about the beauty of the nation that is Uganda. She then invited all to visit the Embassy for any services that they needed and listed the available resources and assistance. Kosozi was a young girl during the time of the Expulsion yet she stated that she remembered the panic in the faces of those leaving. As many of her friends were Indian, she was confused the day her father came home and told her, ‘everyone is leaving and you will not see your friends again’. Though she shares heartache for what has occurred, Kosozi is still very hopeful in the continuing partnership and restoration of the relationships between the Ugandans and Indians. She closed her speech with a final warm welcome saying, “Come and retrace your roots back home, I promise you won’t get lost. Everything is the same as you’ve left it”.
The final speaker was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Arif Virani. A Ugandan-Asian himself, Virani had come with his parents and sister who all experienced the move from Uganda to Canada in 1972. As a young child when it occurred, Virani spoke of how important it was for him to learn about his parents history and the complexities of the South-Asian Expulsion. Virani and his family arrived at the Montreal base and on this 50th anniversary he shared the story of traveling back to the base in the last week to see the city that welcomed them and became their new home. Now working as a government official, he seems to show another aspect of this Expulsion, the underlying beauty and bond created by the connection of three distinct nations in the midst of chaos. Canada’s involvement and assistance can not be forgotten. He spoke of how chefs at the military base were taught how to make cultural foods in order to bring comfort and solace to those who had come after all that they had endured. This to him was real ‘comfort food’. Near the end of his speech he discussed the current rhetoric and attitudes surrounding the issue of immigration and how many have negative perceptions towards it when many migrants are determined and willing individuals looking to contribute greatly to Canadian society– his father being an exception example of this to him. Therefore, he encouraged the crowd to not look down on migrants, nor look down on Canada’s willingness to accept them, arguing that it would be a great investment for our nation.
Following the speeches was a traditional performance by the Kamango Cultural Troupe. They were introduced by Jimmy Sebulime, founder of the Agnes Zabali Boys and Girls Club in Uganda. Sebulime shared that this cultural troupe is composed of graduates from the Club and have come to Canada to perform. He also touched on the realities many Ugandans currently face as they are living in poverty, have no access to education, and no access to healthcare. Sebulime saw this issue and came up with the solution, the creation of this Club. As he then admired the children and their dedication he finally welcomed them to the stage to perform. Six individuals then walked up in traditional attire with drums in their hands and danced with smiles going ear to ear.
As the event concluded, refreshments were brought out and the Kamango cultural troupe invited all to join in and dance with them, and many made good on that offer. Throughout the final moments, several men of South Asian heritage stood up from their seats, or walked up to the front from the snacking area and showed off their dancing skills, bringing the room to laughter and cheer. To see two very distinct cultures come together through the form of dance and music was a sight to see. In some moments, the troupe changed their drumming pattern to match a more Indian-style beat, which was the perfect image of two worlds colliding for the better. On the other side of the room, people were standing and chatting, while eating staples from Ugandan and Indian cuisine. One glance at any plate and you would find both Chapati and Cassava side by side. Interestingly, as odd as one may find it, the flavors of both nations mixed exceptionally.
Reflecting back at this event, it was one that beautifully portrayed hope and community despite the terror and division that led to it. With speakers from all backgrounds and all different ages, the audience was able to clearly see how the independence of Uganda and the expulsion of the South-Asians affected not only the generation alive to see it but also future generations as well.
What I would’ve loved to see and hear more about, however, was the story of Uganda’s Independence. Much of the speech and event was focused on the remembrance of the Expulsion. And in regards to remembering and honoring that part of the nation’s history, the event succeeded. However, I felt it neglected the history of colonialism the nation endured and its progress since that moment. I also wish there were more stories shared on the current relationship between the Ugandan and South-Asian community.
A concluding statement made by Kajoba was that, “We must reflect on the past and make sense of it and recognize that every day as we live, as we make decisions at our different levels and capacities, we are writing the history of our children. And I hope and pray that as we write the history we may write it with love, instead of strife. May we disagree without hatred. And may we realize that the solution to more food is good food and not no food at all.” These remarks were the perfect summary to the event because it teaches that in togetherness all things are possible. The rewriting of a nation’s history and the hope for a better future comes when we have understood the stories that have shaped us and made us who we are. With acknowledgement of these things, if we are wise, we can work together and ensure that a better future is on the horizon for all.
More info on the Uganda Association of Ottawa: Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.ugottawa.ca/.
More info on the Agnes Zabali Boys and Girls club: Email: [email protected] Web: [email protected]. They are also on Instagram and Facebook.
Ruth Aman is a Project Officer with Black History Ottawa. She holds a Bachelor of Global and International Studies (Honors) degree, with a specialization in Law and Social Justice from Carleton University.