Expulsion of Indians by Idi Amin unfortunate : Uganda President

New Delhi, Apr 8 (UNI) Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni today described as ''unfortunate'' the expulsion of the Indian community from Uganda by Idi Amin, saying the former dictator had not seen the usefulness of private sector in the country's economy.

''Idi Amin made the unfortunate move of expelling the Indian community who had made Uganda their home, because he did not see the usefulness of the private sector in the economy,'' the Ugandan President said in his address at the first India-Africa Forum Summit here.

Describing the move as ''uninformed, distorted form of nationalism,'' Mr Musevei said such diecisions were manifested in the form of unnecessary bureaucracies in the investment process.

He said policy mistakes made by African leaders in 1950s, 1960s and 1970s had cost the continent dear in terms of development while all other countries, including India, had surged far ahead.

Anti-private sector bias had been ameliorated but not completely eliminated, he said adding that this had led to nationalisation of private companies in 1960s.

UNI RB PK GC1748