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African-Asian Profile

Manzoor Moghal
Manzoor Moghul

Manzoor Moghul, is the vice-chairman of the Ugandan Evacuees Association. Here he talks about his African connections. Share your memories here.

     Q: What was it like being a young boy growing up in Africa?

    It was wonderful growing up in Africa, we had a huge amount of space, greenery, excellent climate and excellent food. The space was just enormous and the environment was fantastic.

      Q: If you could choose just one, what would be your absolute best memory?

      My absolute best memories would be my school days in Africa and my visits to my parents. I was schooling away from home and I enjoyed it, but I looked forward to going home each weekend. Home was Masaka, some 82 miles from Kampala which is the commercial capital of the country. And of course I had my own car; I could drive a car at a very young age. It was a most enjoyable time and I remember it often.

        Q: The Ugandan Asian community in England is a tight knit community, what factors contribute to its strength?

        I think there is an element of fluidity in the relationship, we have a common sense of identity, and have contributed very successfully to this country. We have maintained contact with each other in a manner that many others might not have done and have made a very substantial contribution to the British economy that other communities have not done. We have made Britain our home, so in that sense the Ugandan Asian community has been unique. The goodwill that we have generated has enabled all of the South African Asians, Kenyan Asians, and Zimbabwean Asians to benefit immensely within this country.

          Q: Would you say Ugandan Asians have acted as a catalyst?

          Yes, most certainly. Uganda can stand tall and proud because of the contribution of the Ugandan Asians, of course Uganda is a wonderful country so the two have worked together to raise the profile of Uganda in this country. We are very proud that we have been able to achieve this, it was not planned but this is how it worked out.

            Q: Have you been back to Uganda recently?

            Yes I often go back. I was there last year, with my wife who does charity work there, we spent ten days there doing charity work. Of course, before that I had gone to Uganda to attend the royal wedding of the Kabaka, who is a personal friend. That was a marvellous occasion as well as a very unique occasion where we attended a truly royal wedding. Loyalty towards the king is absolutely amazing in Uganda. It was an amazing experience, the King of Buganda was the king when we lived there and I have known him for some years now, and we have developed a friendship, which I enjoy enormously.

              Q: How do you feel your dual Ugandan/Asian heritage has affected your identity?

              I have more than two cultures! I have four cultures and I am very proud of all four. I fit in very comfortably with all four of them: Indian, Pakistani, Ugandan, African and British. In fact that is five! They have enabled me to enjoy and experience life in a manner that would have not been possible had I not had them.

                Q: What is the strongest lesson you have learnt from your time in Uganda?

                The fact that we lived in harmony. So many communities: the Hindus, the Sikhs, the Muslims the Christians, we all lived in harmony. We had strong friendships with the African Ugandans and a strong understanding of their needs. Therefore whenever people talk about poverty in Africa we understand what they mean and we know how these matters can be addressed, but of course the western world gets taken in by their own rhetoric and their own agenda. The harmony between different people, different colours, different races, different faiths, is what Uganda has taught us and that has stood us in good stead in Britain. In that dimension we have made a substantial contribution to British society.

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