Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation to host panel talks on September 1 about Asians' expulsion from Uganda

The panel discussion, which will complement an ongoing exhibition on the Uganda-Asians crisis, will be moderated by Praveen Moman, founder of Volcanoes Safaris, and feature a number of distinguished guests.

Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation to host panel talks on September 1 about Asians' expulsion from Uganda

The Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation is hosting a panel discussion with distinguished guests on September 1 to examine the expulsion of the Asian community from Uganda by then president Idi Amin Dada in 1972, the experiences of those who came to Britain and the contribution they have made to Britain.

The event will be hosted between 17:30-20:30 hours at Arundells, the home of Sir Edward Heath, the former British  prime minister who welcomed over 28,000 Ugandan-Asian refugees with open arms despite some fierce political and public opposition.


50 years of expansion of the Ugandan Asians by Idi Amin (Picture: The Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation)

The panel discussion will complement an exhibition on the Uganda-Asians Crisis at Arundells which started on August 12 and will run till November 1. Tickets and further details are available here.

The evening’s proceedings will bring together key contemporary players to examine the mass expulsion of Uganda’s Asian community; their experiences in Britain; the political battle for acceptance; and the lessons learned for policy today.

The panel will be moderated by Praveen Moman, conservationist, founder of Volcanoes Safaris which has been at the forefront of reviving gorilla tourism in Uganda and Rwanda, and former UK government special adviser.

The panel will also include:

· Her Excellency Nimisha Madhvani, the Republic of Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK (formerly Uganda’s ambassador to the Nordic countries). Notably, Her Excellency was also a victim of the expulsion

· Rt Hon Lord (David) Hunt, chairman of the Young Conservatives in 1972, who led the opposition to Enoch Powell and his allies’ attempts to derail the government’s policy at the Party Conference

· Cllr Ravi Govindia, the highly respected Conservative leader of Wandsworth Council (2010-2022). Notably, Cllr Govindia was in a West Country resettlement Camp before reading law at University

· Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, renowned journalist, author and broadcaster, regular columnist for the i newspaper and the Evening Standard, and founding member of British Muslims for Secular Democracy

· Giles Foden, acclaimed novelist and author of the 'The Last King of Scotland', a story about Idi Amin, and co-author of ‘Tide of Fortune: A Family Tale’ with Manubhai Madhvani

The panel discussion will reflect the latest exhibition at Arundells ‘Exodus: the Uganda Asians’ Crisis of 1972’, which tells the remarkable story of the expulsion of the Asian community from Uganda; the initial resistance from some political elements to their admission to Britain – even though they were British passport holders; the courageous decision by the Heath government to honour Britain’s humanitarian obligations; and how from arriving virtually penniless, the community has made new and successful lives in Britain over the last 50 years.

Theatre and film director Jatinder Verma is also making a collage of interviews with Uganda-Asian emigrants, especially for the event and the exhibition.

As prime minister, Heath commented on the Uganda Asians exodus, "The British people have refused to be scared into supporting the attitudes of meanness and bad faith towards the Ugandan-Asian refugees. They have responded in accordance with the traditions of honouring our obligations and holding out a friendly hand to people in danger and distress."

Peter Batey CMG, OBE, chairman of the Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation said, “Marking the 50th anniversary of the shocking expulsion of Uganda’s Asian population, this panel discussion brings together first-hand testimony of the events. Hearing the remarkable stories of our distinguished guests against the backdrop of the latest exhibition at Arundells promises to be an enlightening and likely emotional evening.

We are thankful to all the participants for this opportunity to hear their unique stories, recognise the strength of the thousands of Uganda Asians forcibly uprooted, and reflect on the decisions of the Heath government which remind us of Britain’s tradition of generosity towards refugees and the rewards for our nation that have stemmed from compassion and generosity.”

The exhibition has been made possible through the generous support of the Ahluwalia Family Foundation and of the Rumi Foundation and the sponsorship of Volcanoes Safaris, the foundation said in a release.

It also thanked its advisory group comprising Rt Hon Shailesh Vara M.P., Cllr Ravi Govindia and Moman for its contribution towards making the exhibition a success.

More For You

Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

Officials greet newly-elected Prime Minister of Nepal's interim government Sushila Karki (R) as she arrives at the prime minister's office in Kathmandu on September 14, 2025. (Photo by PRABIN RANABHAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Nepal’s new leader pledges to act on Gen Z calls to end corruption

NEPAL’s new interim prime minister Sushila Karki on Sunday (14) pledged to act on protesters’ calls to end corruption and restore trust in government, as the country struggles with the aftermath of its worst political unrest in decades.

“We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation,” Karki said in her first address to the nation since taking office on Friday (12). “What this group is demanding is the end of corruption, good governance and economic equality. We will not stay here more than six months in any situation. We will complete our responsibilities and hand over to the next parliament and ministers.”

Keep ReadingShow less
UK secures £1.25bn US investment ahead of Trump’s visit

US president Donald Trump and UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer arrive at Trump International Golf Links on July 28, 2025 in Balmedie, Scotland. (Photo by Jane Barlow-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

UK secures £1.25bn US investment ahead of Trump’s visit

THE British government has announced over £1.25 billion ($1.69bn) in fresh investment from major US financial firms, including PayPal, Bank of America, Citigroup and S&P Global, ahead of a state visit by president Donald Trump.

The investment is expected to create 1,800 jobs across London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Manchester, and deepen transatlantic financial ties, the Department for Business and Trade said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nearly 150,000 join anti-migrant protest in London as clashes erupt

Protesters wave Union Jack and St George's England flags during the "Unite The Kingdom" rally on Westminster Bridge by the Houses of Parliament on September 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Nearly 150,000 join anti-migrant protest in London as clashes erupt

MORE THAN 100,000 protesters marched through central London on Saturday (13), carrying flags of England and Britain and scuffling with police in one of the UK's biggest right-wing demonstrations of modern times.

London's Metropolitan Police said the "Unite the Kingdom" march, organised by anti-immigrant activist Tommy Robinson, was attended by nearly 150,000 people, who were kept apart from a "Stand Up to Racism" counter-protest attended by around 5,000.

Keep ReadingShow less
Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal recalled that in February, Narendra Modi and Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Trade talks with US moving forward positively, says Indian minister Goyal

INDIA’s commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that negotiations on the proposed trade agreement between India and the United States, which began in March, are progressing in a positive atmosphere and both sides are satisfied with the discussions.

He recalled that in February, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. (Representational image: iStock)

Woman raped in racially aggravated attack in Oldbury

A WOMAN in her 20s was raped in Oldbury in what police are treating as a racially aggravated attack.

West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. Officers said the men made a racist remark during the incident.

Keep ReadingShow less