President makes nationality offer

President Museveni was on his first visit to Leicester

The offer from the president of Uganda of dual nationality for Ugandan Asians expelled from the country over 30 years ago has been welcomed.

President Yoweri Museveni made the gesture during a trade delegation visit to Leicester at the weekend.

About 80,000 Ugandan Asians were expelled by former President Idi Amin. About 25,000 came to the UK, with more than 10,000 ending up in Leicester.

Many families left Uganda with virtually nothing.

Warm welcome

Amin Tejani, executive chairman of LPC Group, came from Uganda in 1972.

He helps run a thriving UK business, he said: "It was a welcome offer, the great majority of people who came over from Uganda are very settled in the UK.

"We're pleased with the president's offer and improvements in relations with Uganda.

"It was an excellent meeting and he [the president] received a warm welcome."

The president also visited two Leicester businesses on his visit to entice them to invest back in Uganda.

Rags to riches

Businessman Salim Tejani said: "The president is keen for us to help them develop certain sectors of the industry in Uganda to create employment and also taking the finished products into the western markets which we have access to.

"We have been looking at going back into Uganda for a while and feel it is safe and has been stable for quite a while.

"We feel quite confident things will not repeat itself as in 1972."

The Ugandan Asians have become some of the most successful migrants to the UK.

Some of them have become millionaires. When they were expelled from Uganda they were only allowed to leave with £50 each.

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni became President of the Republic of Uganda in January 1986.