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Expelled from Uganda
Born in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, Amir Majothi spent his carefree childhood in the town of Kakira. His ultimate superpower was playing mischievous pranks on his unsuspecting victims and much of his time was spent climbing mango trees and dashing through sugarcane fields with his friends. This idyllic childhood came to an end when dictator Idi Amin, President of Uganda, issued an unjust expulsion order giving 80,000 Ugandan Asians only 90 days to leave the country. Missing the deadline meant certain death. Separated from his family, Amir must deal with a corrupt bureaucracy and the ever-present danger of Amin's soldiers in order to escape execution and find a new life overseas.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 8, 2022
Brilliant
This was a very well written book about the ordeal of a family that was expelled from Uganda by the dictator Idi Amin. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
This was a very well written book about the ordeal of a family that was expelled from Uganda by the dictator Idi Amin. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
February 11, 2026
Beautiful tribute to the author's family. I liked the fact that the book shows the counterpart of the trauma, I mean, the witty spirit of the author's father as a young child, the sense of humor and the sense of freedom. But I felt that the writing made it all a bit predictable.
The book was difficult to read at some point, not only for the reality of those involved, but also because it brought to surface (again) my own experience as a child in Mozambique and the compelled "return" to Portugal.
3,5*
The book was difficult to read at some point, not only for the reality of those involved, but also because it brought to surface (again) my own experience as a child in Mozambique and the compelled "return" to Portugal.
3,5*
October 28, 2022
It is said about Ugandan soil that 'If you plant a seed at night, it grows up to become a tree the next morning. It is this country that gave an ultimatum to all the Asians (mostly Indians) to leave the country within 90 days and was not allowed to take more than 50 pounds with them. This book is an account of an Indian Amir Majothi who was born and grew up in Kakira, a town synonymous with sugar production. This town is also on the world map of sugar production because of one Indian called Muljibhai Madhvani. The book describes the intense emotions that Amir and his family passed through when Idi Amin gave an ultimatum of just 90 days to all the Asians to move back to their countries. The book shows how thousands of citizens who had built their businesses, homes, and other assets in Uganda over generations had to leave the country with just 50 pounds in their pockets. And this decree was issued because they were envious of Indians who with 1% of the population, were responsible for generating 1/5th of the National income. They were building businesses in which native Ugandans were being employed. Their crime was that they managed to do better for themselves than the indigenous community. All their assets were seized by the government and redistributed amongst the natives. Those who dared to defy or raise their voice were told, that their daughters, wives, and mothers will be raped and then killed in broad daylight in their presence.
It is interesting to note that out of the 80000 Asians, a lot of them were British citizens by the virtue of passports as it was Britishers who had brought these people to Uganda. They were forcibly moved to Uganda for construction work and other functions of the British Government and then prospered through their sheer hard work and determination. However, British Government had initially refused to accept them as they were not "Natural British Citizens". It was under immense pressure from the Global Community that the UK Government gave in and started accepting these citizens, though termed them as refugees.
When Amir Majothi's family moved to the UK in the second month of the three months deadline, Amir could not migrate with them as his passport hadn't been issued. He survived with his uncle for a fearful period of 30 days during which he saw loot, murders, rapes, and possibly all inhuman activities that left him aghast. Because of the bureaucratic hurdles, he managed to board the flight to the UK on the penultimate day of the deadline. So petrified were the flight passengers, that until the flight landed at Heathrow Airport, none of them uttered a single word. On landing at Heathrow airport, for several days, these passengers lived in Tents near the Airport and finally a few upcoming towns. No well-established town was ready to accept these Ugandan Asian British passport holders. However, still there were advertisements carried out by the local communities in each and every city warning these Ugandan Asians not to settle in their neighborhood. Leicester City Council's advertisement was the most infamous one. The fellow Indians remember how he and his siblings "cried for six months because of the cold; we just couldn't handle it". Adding insult to injury was the racism they experienced day in and day out.
And Yet in spite of all these, these Indians not only survived but thrived and became major business and power centers. Notable examples include (a few moved a few years before the formal expulsion was announced):
1) Priti Patel (who migrated when she was a few months old in 1972), the erstwhile Home secretary in Boris Johson's Government.
2) Shailesh Vara, Member of Parliament & Secretary of State of Norther Ireland
3) Jitesh Gadhia, Member of the House of Lords & David Cameron's inner circle member
4) Dolar Popat, Government Whip
It is interesting to note that out of the 80000 Asians, a lot of them were British citizens by the virtue of passports as it was Britishers who had brought these people to Uganda. They were forcibly moved to Uganda for construction work and other functions of the British Government and then prospered through their sheer hard work and determination. However, British Government had initially refused to accept them as they were not "Natural British Citizens". It was under immense pressure from the Global Community that the UK Government gave in and started accepting these citizens, though termed them as refugees.
When Amir Majothi's family moved to the UK in the second month of the three months deadline, Amir could not migrate with them as his passport hadn't been issued. He survived with his uncle for a fearful period of 30 days during which he saw loot, murders, rapes, and possibly all inhuman activities that left him aghast. Because of the bureaucratic hurdles, he managed to board the flight to the UK on the penultimate day of the deadline. So petrified were the flight passengers, that until the flight landed at Heathrow Airport, none of them uttered a single word. On landing at Heathrow airport, for several days, these passengers lived in Tents near the Airport and finally a few upcoming towns. No well-established town was ready to accept these Ugandan Asian British passport holders. However, still there were advertisements carried out by the local communities in each and every city warning these Ugandan Asians not to settle in their neighborhood. Leicester City Council's advertisement was the most infamous one. The fellow Indians remember how he and his siblings "cried for six months because of the cold; we just couldn't handle it". Adding insult to injury was the racism they experienced day in and day out.
And Yet in spite of all these, these Indians not only survived but thrived and became major business and power centers. Notable examples include (a few moved a few years before the formal expulsion was announced):
1) Priti Patel (who migrated when she was a few months old in 1972), the erstwhile Home secretary in Boris Johson's Government.
2) Shailesh Vara, Member of Parliament & Secretary of State of Norther Ireland
3) Jitesh Gadhia, Member of the House of Lords & David Cameron's inner circle member
4) Dolar Popat, Government Whip
June 15, 2021
Expelled From Uganda is a book with Author narrating the Journey of her father ‘Amir Majothi ‘ . She descripts about the blissful childhood days of him with his favourite hobby being climbing on the mango trees , dashing through the sugarcane field . . She takes us along the journey which is filled with some happy and disheartening memories .
The story takes us to 1972 , when the president of Uganda , Idi Amin decided to expel all the Asians from his country . Ugandans were only allowed to reside in Uganda and the economy was to be run by Ungandans . The Asian people were given only 90 days to leave . After listening to his speech , his words circled everyone’s mind like the Vultures conspiring to ambush their family . The storm continued , and if the deadline was not met by the people , it would cost them their lives . The story is heart- aching and descripts about the struggles faced by them when they were forced to flee from their home .
This story touches the base of many issues such as Prejudice , Racism ,bureaucracy .
Turn the pages to explore more and witness their journey. The descriptions given in the book made me feel like I was visualising the scenes right in front of my eyes . I felt like I was immersed in the whole story .
The story in true is really engaging and gripping . It was difficult for me to put down the book and take a short break . I was completely hooked till the end and completed the book in 2 sittings . Author has narrated the story very perfectly , I felt nostalgic and hyperactive at the same time .
April 17, 2026
It was interesting to learn about this mass deportation in 1970s I knew nothing about. The format of alternating chapters of earlier childhood memories and the last few months leading up to leaving Uganda for the UK was very powerful. When you are 19, how do you leave all of your childhood behind?
May 24, 2021
Beautiful story for such a harrowing event.
This book covers a period in history I knew nothing about. It isn't the type of book that I would normally pick up but so glad I did. Without wanting to.give away and spoilers flipping between present day and Amirs childhood gave us a sense of what he is like as an abd the descriptions are beautifully written and give a really clear picture of what life was like in Uganda. I would highly recommend reading this.
This book covers a period in history I knew nothing about. It isn't the type of book that I would normally pick up but so glad I did. Without wanting to.give away and spoilers flipping between present day and Amirs childhood gave us a sense of what he is like as an abd the descriptions are beautifully written and give a really clear picture of what life was like in Uganda. I would highly recommend reading this.
June 16, 2021
What a rollercoaster ride! It's not what I usually pick up, but I'm glad I did. Love, suspense, loss and comedy. A winning read. Cannot recommend this book enough!
September 30, 2021
Wow. This book was beautiful. I couldn’t nor wanted to put it down. I’m so sad it’s over however it’s in my forever collection now.
What a stunning piece of literature.
What a stunning piece of literature.
December 24, 2021
Well-written memoir about an Indian family facing expulsion from Uganda due to Idi Amin's policies. All Asian- descended Ugandans have 90 days to exit the country, and this book details the difficulty of that task and the increasing persecution they face. It also shares flashbacks of Amir's life in Uganda which help us see what life was like for them, and also what they are leaving behind. Excellent book, and currently free with Kindle unlimited.
October 27, 2022
A tugs-at-the- heartstrings eye opener
We often hear about displacement and cruel dictatorships in the news and while we acknowledge this as a tragedy we don't often think too much about it. By recalling stories of a happy carefee childhood the author has invited you somwhat, into the family so that by the end of the book you not only have a better idea of what real displacement looks like, you also gain a little understanding of what it must feel like. It is both heart wrenching and heartwarming not least because this is a true account of a family expelled from a country that was home.
We often hear about displacement and cruel dictatorships in the news and while we acknowledge this as a tragedy we don't often think too much about it. By recalling stories of a happy carefee childhood the author has invited you somwhat, into the family so that by the end of the book you not only have a better idea of what real displacement looks like, you also gain a little understanding of what it must feel like. It is both heart wrenching and heartwarming not least because this is a true account of a family expelled from a country that was home.
April 21, 2022
I was so lucky to have the Opportunity to read this for book club and meet the author. She’s written a beautiful book based on her dads story of being Separated from his family and Escaping Uganda. I loved reading about history I didn’t even know about and how the book isn’t all terror and sadness but with moments that make you laugh and feel warmth from a family with love.
September 4, 2021
fantastic!
May 16, 2025
Expelled from Uganda by Noreen Nasim - good
This book is part of a bookray as it was written by one of the authors that will speak at the 2025 Bookcrossing UnCon in Sheffield.
I actually remember when the "Ugandan Asians" were expelled from Uganda and arrived in the UK, cold and scared. I also have at least one friend who arrived here because of it. Funnily enough, it was never discussed in any detail and I was possibly a little young (12) to really consider and understand what was actually going on. Certainly my friend never spoke of it other than as why she had moved.
This book is a fictionalised version of what happened to the author's father and his family when they were order to leave their homes and possessions and get out of Uganda...the authorities didn't care how or where they should go and the increasing violence and corruption made it increasingly frightening, dangerous and difficult for those targeted by the regime.
I must admit I didn't particularly enjoy the style of the book. I was more interested in the expulsion storyline and less about the 'flashbacks' to various childhood events (although I recognise that some of them tied into how Amir reacted as an almost adult and helped set the scene of what the family would lose). For me the book picked up when the pressure increased and the family found themselves separated as they made their escape.
An important story that needs more exposure and understanding - I'm glad I read it and look forward to hearing the author speak at Sheffield.
#review
This book is part of a bookray as it was written by one of the authors that will speak at the 2025 Bookcrossing UnCon in Sheffield.
I actually remember when the "Ugandan Asians" were expelled from Uganda and arrived in the UK, cold and scared. I also have at least one friend who arrived here because of it. Funnily enough, it was never discussed in any detail and I was possibly a little young (12) to really consider and understand what was actually going on. Certainly my friend never spoke of it other than as why she had moved.
This book is a fictionalised version of what happened to the author's father and his family when they were order to leave their homes and possessions and get out of Uganda...the authorities didn't care how or where they should go and the increasing violence and corruption made it increasingly frightening, dangerous and difficult for those targeted by the regime.
I must admit I didn't particularly enjoy the style of the book. I was more interested in the expulsion storyline and less about the 'flashbacks' to various childhood events (although I recognise that some of them tied into how Amir reacted as an almost adult and helped set the scene of what the family would lose). For me the book picked up when the pressure increased and the family found themselves separated as they made their escape.
An important story that needs more exposure and understanding - I'm glad I read it and look forward to hearing the author speak at Sheffield.
#review
June 10, 2025
Perfectly OK narrative style telling of a Ugandan-Indian family forced to flee Uganda and settle in the UK due to Idi Amin's regime. It tells the story day by day and I suppose captures the surrealism of this awful situation, and how so much of it is just queuing and hanging around. Waiting for documents, applying for passports, getting your head around the land where you were born and raised now wants nothing to do with you. I can't believe they hung around as long as they did once they had got all the necessary documents. I would have been straight out to the airport. But I guess it's hard letting go, and you know no other place. No other home. It's also interesting reading about this period of history from the perspective of individuals. The main character is Amir, the authors father. Next month I hope to go to a talk given by Nasim, so it's interesting for me to have read this in advance. The heaviness of them having to leave Uganda is interspersed with anecdotes from his childhood. Which are interesting but did get to feel like filler, and are probably more important to the family as a record of Amir's life and experiences, all recorded down.
July 7, 2025
I read this as a book ring ahead of Noreen speaking at the UK Bookcrossing Uncon 2025 in Sheffield. I really enjoyed the book. Her father seemed to have been quite a rascal in his childhood! Noreen was a really interesting speaker at the Uncon, and was very good at encouraging people to talk to their relatives and write down their family histories.
March 30, 2025
Quite an emotional and captivating read about a family of Ugandan Asian trying to escape Idi Amin's dictatorship in 1972. I learned a lot about Uganda's history and I'm grateful that Amir and his family found a new home in the UK.
February 28, 2023
Amazing book!
February 7, 2023
Wow. I never really knew much about Uganda and the awful things that had happened there, Noreen has written about her fathers experience beautifully and with compassion to the situation certain inhabitants of the country suddenly found themselves in.
This certainly opens your eyes to the tragedy and the treatment the Ugandan Asians were subjected to in the early 1970’s when Idi Amin decided they were draining the country’s economy and should all leave within the next 90 days. Forget the fact that many had their own businesses and were paying their way, many had families and had been living in the country for years.
I found this book easy to read and finished it in a morning, definitely one I’d recommend to everyone.
This certainly opens your eyes to the tragedy and the treatment the Ugandan Asians were subjected to in the early 1970’s when Idi Amin decided they were draining the country’s economy and should all leave within the next 90 days. Forget the fact that many had their own businesses and were paying their way, many had families and had been living in the country for years.
I found this book easy to read and finished it in a morning, definitely one I’d recommend to everyone.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews