'Asians go home!'

Protests in Kampala against the Ugandan government's decision to sell national forest land to an Indian-owned group turned violent.

Regional police commander Edward Ochom told Reuters officers opened fire with tear gas and live rounds after demonstrators began attacking Asian businesses and a Hindu temple, reported Kenya's Daily Nation.

Regular readers will know I am no fan of Yoweri Museveni, Uganda's strongman.

But when I hear protesters in Uganda yelling slogans 'Asians go home!', I get an eerie feeling in the pit of my stomach.

If such xenophobia has a familiar echo, there's a reason why.