Freedom City stampede: Court clears event promoter Abitex

The Chief Magistrates' Court at Makindye has discharged music promoter Abbey Musinguzi popularly known as Abitex of offences, which resulted to the death of 13 people in the New Year’s Day stampede at Freedom City.

Abitex was battling charges of rash or negligent act alongside businessman Elvis Francis Jjuuko, the master of ceremonies that night, over January 1 deadly incident.

Thirteen people lost their lives in a stampede that happened at Freedom City in Kampala when revellers scrambled to reportedly watch fireworks on New Year's Day.

The deceased were Daniel Kibuuka, Daniella Kibuuka, Ibrahim Kizito, Nazama Hakimati, Viola Nakanwagi, Mary Namyalo, Hadja Nakakand, Shafik Mwane and Margret Nakatumba.

On Thursday, Senior Grade One Magistrate Igga Adiru dismissed the cases for want of prosecution.

The magistrate said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) can any time re-instate the case if they get witnesses.

The tragic incident occurred at midnight when the event's master of ceremonies encouraged the revellers to go outside and watch the fireworks display. After the display ended, a stampede ensued, resulting in the instant deaths of people.

The concert dubbed ‘party after party’ was organised by Emma Promotions and Musinguzi at Freedom City, Namasuba, on Entebbe Road.

Freedom City

Prosecution alleged that Musinguzi and others still at large on December 31, 2022, and January 1, 2023, at Freedom City Hall Namasuba in Wakiso district endangered people's lives by closing other outlets from the venue gates leaving only one small gate which could not allow over 20,000 people to move out safely.