The Kwibuka  memorial Flame, which is on a tour of the  UK in remembrance of the Tutsi who died in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi reached Nottingham Castle on Saturday.

Speaking at the event, Juma Amdani, the chairperson of the Notts Rwandan Community and Director of African Institute in Nottingham, condemned the way the media was used to incite a section of the  population to kill the Tutsi.

He also faulted the colonialists for dividing Rwandans along ethnic lines, depicting Tutsis as foreigners in their own land.

He noted that there is need for concerted efforts to educate and reconcile the Rwandan people.

Amdani said a lot of gains had been made on different fronts in the last 20 years, including security and economic development. 

Amdani, a Genocide survivor who received the Kwibuka Flame at Nottingham Castle, also spoke of the strength he has found 20 years after the Genocide.

The torch took a mini tour of Nottingham, travelling to Old Market Square and then the International Exchange Office of Nottingham Trent University, where members of the Rwandan community were joined by students, the Aegis Trust and school children for a memorial event.

Amdani, 40, went to Nottingham 11 years ago and lives in Bestwood with his wife and son. He spoke of the importance of remembering the Genocide.

 "We must never forget the history or it could repeat itself. The theme of the event is; ‘Remember, Unite and Renew’ which is about finding common ground and strength in our differences. We must unite against extremism and preach this to the new generation,” Amdani said.

From Nottingham, the Flame will go to Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Scotland and finally to Birmingham.