Ugandan Asians wary of media image

The Ugandan Asian refugees who fled to Britain a quarter of a century ago may be our greatest immigration success story, writes Nicholas Schoon.

But they feel their ambitions have not been realised and. are wary of their media portrayal as high achievers, Rina Valeny, a researcher at the University of Wales at Swansea migration unit, told the Royal Geographical Society yesterday.

Idi Amin expelled nearly 30,000 in 1972,allowing them to take only pounds 50. About a quarter are now self-employed, running businesses such as shops, petrol stations, accountancy practices and import-export firms. But Ms Valeny said they aspired for their children to become professionals such as doctors, dentists and lawyers.