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Ugandan Asians in Peterborough celebrate 50 years in 'welcoming city'

BBC Uganda high commissioner Nimisha Madhvani in PeterboroughBBC
Republic of Uganda high commissioner, Nimisha Madhvani (second from left), spoke in front of the crowd of about 100 people

Peterborough has celebrated its Ugandan Asian community on the 50th anniversary of their desperate arrival into the city.

About 27,000 fled to the UK after they were expelled by Uganda's president, General Idi Amin.

Peterborough City Council said it offered 50 families a house and a promise of a job.

The high commissioner of the Republic of Uganda, Nimisha Madhvani, was the guest of honour at a civic reception.

Emma Baugh/BBC A Ugandan flag in PeterboroughEmma Baugh/BBC
General Idi Amin expelled Asians from Uganda in 1972

"They welcomed the Ugandan Asians," said Ms Madhvani.

"The religious beliefs that people had, they continued, and they built over here, and I think it's wonderful to see."

Rizwan Rahemtulla, president of the Husaini Islamic Centre in the city, was one of those arriving with nothing but one suitcase and £50 between the family.

Emma Baugh/BBC Rizwan RahemtullaEmma Baugh/BBC
Rizwan Rahemtulla, the president of the Husaini Islamic Centre, called himself a "proud Peterborian"
Emma Baugh/BBC Fazle-Abbas RahemtullaEmma Baugh/BBC
Fazle-Abbas Rahemtulla said "we are very thankful" for the welcome his family received in Peterborough in 1972

Mr Rahemtulla said: "It is a celebration that Peterborough opened their arms, allowed us Ugandan Asians here, gave us that warmth and that welcome, and I'm celebrating the fact that I am a true, proud, Peterborian."

His 92-year-old father, Fazle-Abbas Rahemtulla, said: "Anything you need, they are prepared to help you and we are very thankful."

Ugandan Asians arriving in the UK in 1972
Peterborough City Council says it offered 50 families a house and a promise of a job
Keystone/Getty Images Ugandan dictator Idi AminKeystone/Getty Images
Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin, gave Ugandan Asian families 90 days to leave the country

About 100 people, including local councillors and police representatives, were at the civic reception on Saturday.

The Ugandan flag was raised from the town hall and Ms Madhvani toured local mosques, Hindu temples and Sikh temples.

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