Hidden Histories: Indian Influence on Architecture and Urbanism Across the East African Interior(Journal Article)

The opening scene of Mira Nair’s 1992 movie ‘Mississippi Masala’begins with an Asian man kissing the ground prior to boarding a plane. The scene depicted events that occurred after the expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972 by Idi Amin. To many, this opening scene may not seem much, but it is critical in framing a thread that runs through the movie, the nostalgia of the main character’s reflections of their time in Uganda. Significantly, this event placed a spotlight on the contribution of Ugandan Asians-as they have come to be known-to the economic and political development of Uganda over the years, and its consequential impact on the built environment.

Authoured by: Antony Kalimungabo Wako , Mark Olweny

Academic units: Faculty of The Built Environment