Kampala, (UG): The Office of the NRM National Chairman (ONC) Manager, SPA/PA Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye has dispelled rumours that there was a stampede during the Ramadan Dua prayers organized at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds this week by her office.
The Kololo event where President Yoweri Museveni was the chief guest also witnessed the official launch of Salaam Bank, the first bank Licensed to do Islamic Banking in Uganda.
After the launch, thousands of Muslims lined up to receive iftar packages from ONC, courtesy of Hadijah Namyalo, although the distribution turned chaotic when the masses turned rowdy prompting the intervention of security to bring the situation to calm.
In the wake of the events, a video, captured on phone camera emerged on social media with the circulators claiming that SFC soldiers turned on Muslims to beat them instead of allowing them to gain access to the food packages being distributed.
However, while addressing the media on Friday, March 28, at ONC offices in Kyambogo, Hajjat Namyalo refuted the baseless reports and said that despite an altercation between the security forces and the Muslims, there was no stampede as misinforming reports are alleging.
The ONC boss also expressed gratitude to the Muslims who turned up in large numbers and the love they showed to Jajja Kaguta Museveni, the President of Uganda, clarifying such a mammoth turnup necessitated the intervention of security forces to avoid a potential stampede.
“First of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the love you showed H.E President Yoweri Museveni. As you are aware, Kololo was filled to the brim and that necessitated the intervention of security officers to ensure order,” Hajjat Namyalo said.
She added that the security team charged with the task of ensuring order during the food distribution only acted in a way to avoid a commotion and did not cane people to prevent them from getting the items as alleged.
Namyalo, however, expressed regret for any shortcomings and sympathised with those who might have sustained injuries in the process, promising to rectify.
She also revealed that her office is willing to compensate Muslims who missed out on the food items so that they get to receive them within their communities effective Monday, April 1, in ONC’s tour of different mosques around the city and its outskirts.
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