These were the first non-Africans to come to Uganda. They came as traders. They first settled along the East African coast on their arrival from Saudi Arabia, Persia and Yemen. These are areas found in Asia.

They came to East Africa using ships called dhows that were blown by monsoon winds across the Indian Ocean. They first settled along the coast of East Africa at Kilwa, Mogadishu, Lamu, Zanzibar, Malindi, Sofala and Mombasa.

The Arabs brought guns, cloth, plates, cowrie shells and other goods. They were particularly interested in gold, ivory, animal skins and slaves.

The first Arab Trader to come to Uganda was Ahmed Bin Ibrahim.

Indians
Indians came to Uganda as a result of the building the Uganda railway. The Indian coolies were brought for the same reason. Indians also wanted to carry out plantation agriculture. They were also interested in carrying out trade.