A group of Muslim students at Makerere University have this afternoon staged a peaceful demonstration protesting against a move to outlaw Muslim veils and caps at the university.
The demonstration stems from an incident yesterday, in which two female students at the faculty of education were asked to remove their veils, before entering the examination room.
Namalo Rashida, a student at Makerere University's institute of Languages says that on May 15th, Rogers Katerega, a lecturer at the institute of languages, ordered her to remove her niqab, before she could be allowed to enter the examination hall.
Also affected was Nkubi Musa, who says that he was forced to put off his cap during an examination on May 12th.
Katerega is alleged to have explained that he was implementing a new university regulation on examination supervision.
Some exam supervisors argued that some students are taking advantage of the veils to hide prepared notes which could be used to cheat in the exams.
But the Muslim students are vehemently opposed to any decision that interferes with their faith.
Under their umbrella organization- Makerere University Muslim Students Association the students described yesterday's incident as an attack on the Muslim faith.
Carrying placards and chanting iAlahu Akbari the Muslim students described the act as unfair and discrimination.
Kahdija Ndibasa, a fourth Year student at the Law development center, wonders why the new regulations are targeting the Muslims and not the catholic nuns who also wear veils.
A veil is an article of clothing, worn almost exclusively by women, that is intended to cover some part of the head or face. As a religious item, the veil is intended to show honor to an object or space.
Gilbert Kadilo, the university spokesperson says that the university has not outlawed the Muslim veils and caps, but rather asked examination invigilators to carry out a thorough check on the students entering the examination rooms.
Kadilo also says that the university will try to investigate the cases that prompted today's demonstration.
