Some interesting challenges

Former Ugandan Asians often talk about their days in that country with strong nostalgic feelings. These discussions go beyond the simple issue of enjoying the sun and dealing with household chores. Ugandan Asians are now quite content with washing their cars, polishing their shoes, ironing their clothes and even killing the spiders in the house. Besides you can find the sun in many other places in the world.

On one occasion when Ugandan Asians were exchanging views on an internet chat list the nostalgia went on rather unchecked, much to the consternation of one participant who used words to the effect "If you guys are so concerned about the welfare of Uganda, why don’t you go back?” He even reminded the group that there was no Idi Amin there who could harm them. Consider the implications of that remark!

Going back to the issue of household chores, one of the most unsettling experiences one recounts is about the treatment of ‘houseboys’ or ‘house servants’. The terminology itself is obnoxious. No person can reach a position that another becomes a ‘servant’ to him or her. Most families treated their domestic workers quite well but on balance some workers received more than their share of poor treatment at the hands of their Asian employers. While there is a need to maintain a due sense of balance and proportion, this issue remains an ugly legacy of what was mostly a productive relationship.