Flight to Greenham exhibition hailed a success

By Ellis Barker and James Williams

It may have been a gloomy time for the 50,000 Ugandan Asians that were expelled from their country by dictator Idi Amin in 1972, but 40 years later crowds turned out to commemorate the day that changed their lives forever as part of anniversary exhibition Flight to Greenham.
Last Thursday the New Greenham Arts Centre was transformed into a historic gallery of photographs, artwork and Newbury Weekly News clippings, which saw almost 100 guests turn out to celebrate the opening of the exhibition put together by Greenham resident, Pragna Hay.
At just five years old, she was one of the 4,000 Ugandan refugees that descended onto RAF Greenham Common and organised the exhibition to raise awareness of the historic event.
“It’s part of Newbury’s history,” she said. “So many people came up to me and said ‘I didn’t realise this happened in Newbury.’
“Everybody went away having learnt something new about 1972.”
The evening kicked off with a performance of Indian dancing and a three course Indian meal before guest speakers took to the stage to recount their experiences.
Among them was author of Idi Amin: Lion of Africa, Manzoor Moghal who praised Mrs Hay for bringing the community together.
“It’s important we celebrate our success in this country and remind others who we are,” said Mr Moghal, who was forced to flee the country despite being an acquaintance of Amin.
“My arrival in this country was a most traumatic experience.
“My life was threatened; I fled the country with my wife and children in the darkness of the night.”
Another speaker, Jaffer Kapasi, found home in Leicester. He said: “The people of this country have given us this platform to succeed.
“This is the reason we need to commemorate the 40 years of our existence in this country, to say a real thank you for the opportunities.”
The High Sheriff of Berkshire, Charles Brims, visited the exhibition last week and was impressed with Mrs Hay’s efforts.
“The Ugandan Asian story is a fascinating one, ranging from the horrors of the expulsion to the kindness of the welcome at Greenham,” he said. “Uganda's loss was our gain.
“As a local Berkshire person, I am proud that, for many, their new lives started at Greenham. It was a privilege to meet Pragna and hear her first-hand account of it all.”
The Flight to Greenham exhibition remained open for viewing until Wednesday, December 12.