British Ugandan Asians at 50

British Ugandan Asians at 50 is a programme of the India Overseas Trust, a registered charity. It is chaired by IOT Trustee Alan Critchley, son of the Director of the Uganda Resettlement Board in 1972-73, Tom Critchley. Also on the Project Committee is Mihir Patel, Vice Chair of The India Overseas Trust and representative of IOT’s Founder Praful Patel, the sole Asian member of the Board.

The Project Administrator is Warwick Hawkins, a former civil servant who secured involvement by Government Ministers in the 40th anniversary commemoration. Other roles are filled by Paresh Solanki, former Head of Asian Broadcasting at the BBC; broadcaster Babita Sharma; exhibition curator Lata Desai; and Dr Becky Taylor of the University of East Anglia.

All are united by their interest in the Expulsion and the response to it by the then British Government, uniformed services, voluntary sector and private individuals. This extraordinary, flawed but ultimately successful partnership has much to teach those responsible for the reception of modern-day refugees from around the world.

The programme’s focus on the volunteering dimension in 1972 is unique among projects to mark the anniversary of the Ugandan Asian Expulsion, and led to BUA50 being awarded a grant by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A touring exhibition entitled 'Narratives of Refugee Memories' is produced and curated by Sanjukta Ghosh and led by Sanjukta and Lata Desai for BUA50 and is on show over the next few months. More information can be found in our events pages.