WINNIPEG — With the recent influx of asylum seekers in Canada, a former Ugandan refugee recalls his journey of survival to Canada in 1972 after being kicked out of his home by a brutal dictator.
In 1971 Idi Amin overthrew Uganda’s government in a military coup, and in 1972 he ordered the expulsion of anyone who was of Asian descent. Canada then opened its doors to its first major resettlement of non-European refugees after the dictator gave Ugandan Asians 90 days to leave the country.
Bahadurali Sumar and his family were among the nearly 8,000 Asians who were left with no option than to leave Uganda. They left the only home they knew with not a penny to their name, and arrived in a country foreign to them.
He said the airport looked like a disaster area and there were cars parked everywhere, because no one was allowed to sell their assets.
Sumar said they just left their belongings at home and the keys to their vehicles in the car and left to start a whole new life in a new country.
In November 1972, the Sumar family landed in Winnipeg. Despite the cold, they said it was better than remaining in Uganda where they were told they would be killed if they stayed.
“It was scary.”
Sumar arrived in Winnipeg with his wife and two children. He syas he was given $400 from the Canadian government to rent a place and furnish it. Three days later he said he had a job as a mechanic at a Nissan dealership.
After a few years, he borrowed $5,000 from the bank and bought the auto shop that he still owns, Ali’s Auto.
Throughout his 46 years in Canada he said he’s gone from a Ugandan to a proud Canadian.
Sumar and his wife had two more children after they arrived in Canada. They now have 15 grandchildren.
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When it comes to the asylum seekers arriving in Canada now, Sumar said he empathizes with them, but wants to remind them of one important thing:
“Work hard and be honest, and you’ll make it,” Sumar said.
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