Idi Amin Explains Why He Expelled Asians From Uganda in 1972

Added: 2026-05-28

[00:00:00]Can you repeat your question? Yes, with with pleasure.

[00:00:04]We have seen pictures of you flogged applauding the flogging of policemen.

[00:00:10]We have seen and heard stories, many of them, which are all validated, of thousands and tens of thousands of Asians being evicted from your country. You took their property, you didn't pay them. Is that your wave of the future? Is that all the love you mentioned in all this time?

[00:00:31]I think you believe in rumors and the some [music] of this picture, it is not might be from Uganda. I think the people whom I sent away of the British [music] citizens, uh they were controlling 99 economy [music] of Uganda, all business, industries, and everything. And on top of that, I requested [music] them when I took over in 1971, the power was handed over to me [music] by the members of the armed forces. I asked them to apply for Uganda citizenship. [music] They refused. And they control 99% of the economy.

[00:01:18]And the whole money [music] they are getting, they don't bank this money in Uganda.

[00:01:23]They bank this money outside Uganda.

[00:01:26]And I am sure if they were still up to now, Uganda could could have been a bankrupt [music] completely.

[00:01:32]And therefore, there was no other opportunity, the only opportunity [music] was to take that decision for the interest of the people of Uganda. And then, [music] uh I took that decision, but I said that I will pay the compensation.

[00:01:51]Under which I have written to the all government uh concerned. Yeah, I'm sure the United States I have already paid them [music] cash, and I have written to government of the United Kingdom, and the discussion is going on, and I have also [music] written to India, which they have got a few Indians, I'm sure uh the the delegation [music] will be coming from India and to discuss with the government of Uganda, and I will surely pay.

[00:02:24]We don't say that we [music] cannot pay, but some of the other point which you are saying it is not true at all.

[00:02:31]You will find that [music] Uganda is one of the best country in the world.