Ugandan Asians Want Tribal Status

Jul 16, 2001

A SECTION of Asians in Uganda are seeking to be recognised constitutionally as an indigenous community, reports Milton Olupot.

A SECTION of Asians in Uganda are seeking to be recognised constitutionally as an indigenous community, reports Milton Olupot. A memorandum sent to the Constitutional Review Commission and signed by the Property Services Ltd. chairman, Pradip N.Karia, also asked the commission to extend voting rights to non-citizens who are tax payers and have been resident in Uganda for five years. "Asian Ugandans here should be recognised like the Banyarwanda, in Uganda and accepted as a tribe here," the memo said. It said this would demonstrate to the world that Uganda has put its past behind as regards the issue of Indians. In 1972 dictactor Idi Amin expelled thousands of Asians, saying it was part of his economic programme to Africanise the economy. The memorandum said such persons should have valid working permits and should be citizens of the Commonwealth. It said persons of this category are presently subject to taxation without representation, which is neither fair nor democratic. The memorandum also appealed for the ban on dual nationality to be lifted. It said dual nationality would benefit the country by maintaining a link for those Ugandans who have moved overseas who may for reasons such as pension benefits be forced to relinquish their nationality. It said dual citizenship also provides a bond between Uganda and foreign permanent residents, which could improve inward investment and provides greater security since it would be easier to extradite a Ugandan to Uganda in case such a person has transgressed the law. The group also said the minimum A' Level education requirement for parliamentary candidates infringes upon people's rights to vote for a candidate of choice but of less education. They said death sentences should be carried out expeditiously, saying that waiting for execution for many years constitutes cruel and unnatural punishment. Ends

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