A little-known chapter of East African history reveals that before Idi Amin expelled Asians in 1972, his predecessor Apollo Milton Obote had already triggered a mass exit of Kenyans from Uganda in 1969.
The episode, driven by economic nationalism and labour reforms, saw tens of thousands abruptly leave a country many had called home for decades.
At the height of the crackdown, more than 20,000 Kenyans were forced to exit Uganda, marking one of the largest population movements in the region at the time.
Eyewitness accounts describe chaotic scenes at major transport points, where families gathered with suitcases, bundles, and children, preparing for an uncertain return to Kenya.
Many had lived and worked in Uganda for over 20 years, building businesses and livelihoods that they were compelled to abandon.
The exodus followed a directive issued under Obote’s administration instructing the Ministry of Labour to replace all non-Ugandan unskilled and semi-skilled workers with citizens.
The move was part of a broader policy shift toward “Africanisation,” aimed at increasing local participation in the economy and reducing foreign dominance in key sectors.
At the time, Kenyans formed a significant portion of Uganda’s labour force, particularly in construction, transport, and service industries.
Employers often favoured Kenyan workers, citing their experience and productivity. However, the government directive left them with little choice but to comply, leading to widespread job losses among Kenyan nationals.
The policy shift coincided with Obote’s adoption of socialist-leaning economic reforms. In 1970, his government announced sweeping measures that included acquiring up to 60 percent shareholding in major private companies.
These actions signalled a decisive move toward state control of the economy and reinforced efforts to prioritise Ugandan citizens in employment and business ownership.
Further pressure came through financial restrictions. New regulations required non-Ugandans to seek government approval before remitting money خارج the country.
This measure hit Kenyan workers particularly hard, as many routinely sent part of their earnings back home to support their families. The added bureaucratic hurdles and uncertainty accelerated their decision to leave.
The developments unfolded against a backdrop of growing economic nationalism across East Africa. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania were each implementing policies to protect domestic economies, a trend that strained relations within the then East African Community.
Uganda’s actions mirrored similar restrictions introduced elsewhere, but the scale and speed of implementation made the 1969 exodus especially disruptive.
When Obote was overthrown in 1971, Idi Amin publicly criticised the expulsion of Kenyans and the severing of currency links with Kenya.
His early statements signalled a potential shift in policy, and some Kenyan nationals began returning to Uganda in hopes of rebuilding their lives.
However, that return proved short-lived. Amin’s regime would soon embark on its own controversial policies, including the 1972 expulsion of Asians, creating further instability and uncertainty for foreign communities in Uganda.
Today, the 1969 expulsion of Kenyans remains a significant but often overshadowed event in the region’s history. Africa.