Dec 13, 2011-CHANDIGARH: The first African Sikh MP, whose family was among a very few who did not leave Uganda, and was considered a favourite of despot Idi Amin during 1970s, wants Punjabi farmers to cultivate land in the east African country that is now becoming a passage to entire east Africa after South Sudan became a new country recently.
Parminder Singh Marwaha, a third generation Ugandan Sikh, whose father was among only 15 Indians not thrown out by Idi Amin, proudly says, "One can come to Uganda with whatever money he has in his bag and go back with the same amount of money with a visa."
He was trying to indicate how liberal the business regime in east African country is and how cheap it is to do business there.
Grandson of a construction worker, who built the Kampala railway station in 1934, Marwaha is a two-time MP of the country that had seen turmoil between 1972 and 1979 under the Amin regime. Reports then had even alleged that Amin was a cannibal.
The latest Indian investor in that country is Airtel. Tatas have already set up a coffee plant. Jaipuria group has also invested heavily. Besides, the Delhi Public School (DPS) is educating students in that country, Marwaha said.
Marwaha was on a private visit to India to offer thanks at the Golden Temple for his second victory in parliament polls in March 2005.
A Gurdas Mann fan, the MP said the best opportunity for Indians is to set up manufacturing bases in that country.
He said the economy of Uganda is in the hands of Indians who constitute 80% of tax payers of the country and this is why China has not been able to beat India in that country. But, the Asian giant is now working hard to make inroads there, he said.
Uganda has around 1,000 Punjabi families with 12 gurdwaras. Marwaha, whose family originated from Jalandhar, is president of the Ramgarhia community of the country.
A transporter, Marwaha has 20 tankers to carry milk. Dairying is the biggest industry in that country and Indian companies have started investing in milk handling, he said.
Marwaha, however, cautioned travel agents not to befool people of India, saying that during the last six months, two agents were deported. There is no scope for unskilled people to survive in Uganda as the work permit alone costs about US$1,000.
Marwaha said Ugandans believe that Guru Nanak visited a place now called Bamb Nanika, but there is no proof to establish the same.