Coronet nets Fulford's story of how Ugandan Asians changed Britain

Coronet has netted The Exiled: Empire, Immigration and How Ugandan Asians Changed Britain from journalist Lucy Fulford. 

Joelle Owusu-Sekyere, commissioning editor, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights including audio from Broo Doherty at The D H H Literary Agency. It will be published in hardback, e-book and audio on 3rd August 2023. 

The Exiled is a narrative history of the Asian population of Uganda who were expelled by President Idi Amin in 1972. The publisher wrote: "When Ugandan President Idi Amin expelled the country’s entire Asian population in 1972, more than 28,000 people from Britain’s former colony arrived on airstrips around the country and began building new lives – but their incredible stories remained largely hidden. Fifty years later, first and second-generation testimony uncovers an underexplored period of history, touching on colonialism, immigration, identity and modern multiculturalism through the lens of individual experience." 

Fulford’s history combines elements of memoir writing including first-person experiences and interviews alongside Fulford’s own experiences. The Exiled reveals a story of resilience and "illuminates an essential chapter in British history, in which immigrants reshaped society". 

Owusu-Sekyere commented: "I am thrilled to be publishing Lucy’s debut book next summer. As we approach the 50th anniversary, it is staggering that there has not been a commercial book about this by a direct descendant. It is crucial that the varied stories of British Ugandan Asians are amplified and celebrated as an important part of British modern history. Lucy’s brilliant book will help put that wrong to right." 

Fulford added:  "Joelle’s belief in this book has been a joy and I am so honoured to be working with Coronet on my debut. The Exiled asks what happens next, after a story fades from the headlines. Now, more than ever, feels like a time to take this approach to this country’s migratory and racial history. I hope that in shining a light on the diverse lives forged through forced migration, The Exiled will illuminate the universality around the meaning of home.”