Police have issued more summons to more stakeholders in the Freedom City New Year Eve bash in which 9 people died in a stampede. This came after the organizer of the event, Abby Musinguzi, alias Abitex, was arrested and remanded to Luzira over 9 counts of Rash or Negligent Acts causing death contrary to section 277 of the Penal Code Act.
Police said the charging of Abitex “followed legal guidance from the office of the DPP, after establishing that there were defects in the planning and control of the concert, that cost the lives of 9 concert goers and put others at risk.”
The stampede occurred at midnight when the event’s MC encouraged attendees to go outside and watch the fireworks display.
After the fireworks display ended, a stampede ensued, resulting in the instant deaths and injuries to several others.
The law enforcement body has been under fire to explain how it approved a defective site plan of the event that saw alternative exits closed.
Music promoters yesterday asked police to investigate the owner of Freedom, tycoon John Ssebalamu, who organized the fireworks at the Mall.
Police spokesperson SCP Fred Enanga this Wednesday morning said they had already “summoned for questioning; the proprietor of the venue, the managers, other organizers of the event, the masters of ceremony, ushers, bouncers and private security guards who were dedicated to the event.”
He added: “Also summoned are police officers and other security personnel who were deployed to secure the event.”
Enanga said at a later stage, police “shall listen to the parents of some of the children to establish how they separated from them and got trapped in the passageway and gates.” Several juveniles died in the stampede that has unsettled the nation.
“Additionally, we are going to share a comprehensive list of guidelines on various aspects of planning and managing events, in partnership with the police, in order to avoid a repeat of such tragic incidents,” said Enanga.
