A rift has emerged within the Indian Community in Uganda ahead of the forthcoming visit of the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
Modi is scheduled to visit Uganda on July 24 in company of a business delegation but some key actors of the Indian community in Uganda have accused Ravi Shankar, the Indian High Commissioner to Uganda and former NRM deputy treasurer, Singh Katongole of embezzlement of funds meant to handle the PM’s visit threatening to boycott the event.
Matooke Republic has learnt from a prominent member of the community who asked not to be named that Ravi and Katongole have colluded with a one Pradeep Karia, a Director of Property Services, to deny some Indians access to the PM and his delegation.
“These people are playing politics and this is very dangerous for the Indian community. Our society is built on certain values and when things appear this way, I worry,” he said.
Our source also revealed that the leadership of the Indian Community in Uganda is increasingly sidelining its roles such as protecting the growth of small business players focusing mostly on new and big players which has left most members vulnerable.
The Indian community in Uganda has since 1922 played a vital role in promoting trade and business between Uganda and India and has over 2,000 members.
Modi and his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni will hold bilateral talks and also open an ultra-modern convention centre in Entebbe.
