The expulsion of Asians from Uganda fifty years ago has been marked by a special gathering in Peterborough.
In 1972, when Idi Amin expelled Asians from Uganda, fifty families settled in Peterborough. Some of those who settled in the city attended a special event to mark the anniversary, along with others from the local community.
The event took place in the constituency of the Rt. Hon. Shailesh Vara MP, which includes a substantial part of the city of Peterborough. Mr Vara was joined at the gathering by Ugandan High Commissioner Nimisha Madhvani, as well as others who recounted their experiences of arriving and settling in Peterborough.
Mr Vara spoke of the prejudice and difficulties that the families faced on their arrival to the city, and praised the then Leader of the Council, Cllr Charles Swift, for his decision to invite the families to Peterborough despite strong opposition from some local people.
Mr Vara spoke of the valuable contribution that the families have made to Peterborough, and he went on to speak of the benefit to the whole of the United Kingdom which collectively took in 28,000 people.
HE Nimisha Madhvani spoke of the ordeal that people suffered at the time of their arrival, and mentioned that she too had arrived in England after being expelled by Idi Amin in 1972.
She also spoke of President Museveni’s desire to welcome people back to Uganda, as tourists and investors, and that she looked forward to seeing people from Peterborough visit Uganda.
Amongst the other speakers were Mr Kishor Ladwa, President of Peterborough Bharat Hindu Samaj, who spoke of his personal experiences as a young boy arriving in the UK and in particular Peterborough.
The event concluded with some garba, performed by local residents, and was followed by a meal.
Speaking after the event, Mr Vara said:
“I was very pleased to be part of this important anniversary, especially being marked in my constituency.
The Asians who arrived in the UK from Uganda have made an enormous contribution to the country in all walks of life, and they continue to do so.
I am especially pleased that those who arrived in Peterborough, a substantial part of which is in my constituency, have helped to enrich the city and surrounding area so much by all that they have achieved and done since their arrival.”
