New Delhi, October 7
India today formally apologised to Uganda for Tuesday night’s incident in which three Ugandan officials were injured at the Commonwealth Games Village when a security apparatus malfunctioned almost toppling their car.

It is learnt that Sports Minister M S Gill spoke to the Ugandan High Commissioner in India this afternoon and conveyed his deep regret over the incident on behalf of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.

Gill also personally spoke to Uganda’s Minister of State for Sports Charles Bakkabulindi and expressed regret over the freak incident. The Ugandan minister is expected to meet Gill tomorrow along with his family.

Earlier in the day, Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell also expressed regret over the incident after the Ugandan minister raised a storm over the issue, saying he was disappointed with the conduct of Indian officials.

He alleged that the Indian officials did not even come to the rescue of his injured officials, one of whom was hurt seriously.

"We are not happy at all with the way the situation was handled?we are not happy with the police either," the Ugandan minister said.

He said he had explained in detail the incident to the Indian Sports Minister but was yet to hear from him. He also demanded an inquiry into the incident.

Uganda's chef de mission William Tumwine, administrative officer Iren Matovu and press attache Juliet Ochong were injured when a "tyre killer" -- a spiked instrument meant to demobilise intruding vehicles -- malfunctioned all of a sudden at one of the Games Village gates.

While Matovu suffered serious eye injuries and required extensive facial stitching, Tumwine suffered a head injury. Ochong had a whiplash.

Police officials admitted that the car carrying the Ugandans was damaged but insisted that the injuries to the officials were minor.