Police in Kampala have arrested famous event promoter and organizer, Abbey ITY, alias Abtex over the new year’s stampede at Freedom City Mall that killed 10 people.
Musinguzi and others at large organised a new year event dubbed ‘Party after Party’ that attracted over 500 revelers to the venue in Namasuba, Wakiso District along Entebbe road.
However, during a fire works display, several people including children collapsed and others died.
Police have started investigations into circumstances surrounding the incident. Police spokesperson Fred Enanga told journalists at the police head quarters in Naguru that Musinguzi is under arrest for negligence.
Enanga said they are currently holding Musinguzi and hunting for his co-organisers as investigations continue.
“The MC recklessly made an announcement for people to move and watch the fireworks display from the parking lot. The parked crowd became dangerous after the rush of fireworks from the hall, through a narrow corridor, to the only exit. Because the local security guards had locked all the other four gates, several victims were trapped and others trampled on,” he said
Enanga further explains : “Security had locked four other exits and entries and the revelers had to use one point of entry and exit. Therefore, several victims were trapped and tramped upon through the narrow passage which became a bottleneck for many, mostly juveniles,”
Police say, the inside security perimeter is where money for entry was being collected and to ensure no gate-crashers, the organisers closed four other entry and exit points and only left one.
“The organisers tend to put profits before safety of revelers and in this incident did the same to avoid gate crashers. There are over 5000 attendees, why should someone block all the other entries and exits and use only one place,” Enanga wondered.
He says they are also investigating why children 18 were allowed to attend the concert without any adult.
“We remind organizers of events and proprietors of events to always follow the safety and security guidelines on management of public events.”
Enanga also says the Vice President, Jessica Alupo is set to visit the scene.