Kakumiro children among Freedom City stampede dead, event organiser remanded
Written by admin on January 3, 2023
Two children from Kakumiro District were among the 10 people who died in the New Year concert stampede at Freedom City in Namasuba, Wakiso District.
The deceased identified only as Daniella Kibuuka, 7, and Daniel Kibuuka, 14, children to Dr Emma Kibuuka, were laid to rest Tuesday, January 3, 2023 in Kakumiro where the Vice President, Jessica Alupo, delivered Shs10m to the family from President Yoweri Museveni.
Ms Aluppo said the money was meant to enable families cater for burial expenses as the government commiserated with the bereaved family.
According to her each of the grieving families was given Shs5m for burial arrangements and other emergencies they incurred due to the unfortunate incident.
The vice president vowed that the government would get to the bottom of the matter and ensure that justice is served.
Prime Minister Robinnah Nabbanja who also attended the funeral commiserated with the grieving family and also vowed that the incident will be investigated to the fullest.
The crush occurred as the crowd rushed to the venue’s parking lot to watch a fireworks display at midnight.
Police spokesperson, ACP Fred Enanga said only one of the four exits at the Freedom City mall was open at the time.
The event organiser who is a music promoter Abby Musinguzi commonly known as Abitex on Tuesday appeared before Makindye Court Grade One Magistrate, Iga Adiru, who charged him with nine counts of rash/neglect act that caused death contrary to Section 227 of the Penal Code Act.
Prosecution states that Abitex with others still at large on December 31, 2022, and January 1, 2023, at Freedom City mall in Namasuba, Makindye-Ssebagabo in Wakiso district, in a manner so rash or negligent endangered human lives and cause the death of nine people.
It further told court that Abitex closed all outlets from the venue gates leaving only one small gate open which could not allow more than 20,000 people to move out easily and safely.
Abitex denied the offences and was remanded to Luzira prison until January 10, 2023, as investigations into the deadly stampede continue.
