Police say the death toll from a fatal New Year’s eve stampede at the Freedom City mall has risen to 11. This is after one Brian Musenero,16, from Ndejje, Wakiso district, and a 3-year-old girl, a daughter to Immaculate Nakanjako also recently succumbed to injuries sustained in the stampede.
Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga says they will now amend the charge sheet of the suspects implicated in this incident to 11 counts of causing death, and an additional 8 counts of causing injuries.
Events promoter, Abby Musinguzi commonly known as Abitex is one of the suspects and he has since been remanded over the same.
“We have so far arrested three people in connection with Freedom City deaths. The MC of the event, Elvis Francis Juuko, the event promoter, Mr. Abby Musinguzi, and now the manager of Freedom City Mall, Mr Charles Kabiito. He was not hiding anywhere. He was arrested from his office,” Enanga told journalists on Monday.
Police say he disregarded the safety and security protocols in the management of the large concert and put profits over the safety of revellers.
“The facts gathered so far reveal that the proprietor of Freedom City Hall, John Sebalamu, recorded a statement and also handed over an agreement between Freedom City and Abtex, with two clear terms and conditions. Under clause No. 5, the organisers was tasked to provide as a MUST adequate security and crowd control for the event and venue and under clause 6, of the agreement, the organiser was tasked to provide First Aid, Fire and Emergency arrangements for the event, depending on the type, nature and scale of the event,” Enanga said in a statement.
