Emcee arrested over New Year stampede at Freedom City mall

A police patrol captured as it enters he premises of Freedom City mall where a stampede took place on the New Year's eve, killing 10 revellers. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

What you need to know:

  • Elvis Francis Juuko was arrested from his hideout in Mityana District, according to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, SSP Patrick Onyango

Police are holding the man who emceed at the New Year celebrations at Freedom City mall in Kampala where a stampede left more than 10 revellers dead.
Elvis Francis Juuko was arrested from his hideout in Mityana District, according to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, SSP Patrick Onyango.

“He has been brought back to Kampala and is right now detained at Katwe Police station. He is charged with rash and negligent acts,” SSP Onyango said on Friday, days after evens promoter Abbey Musinguzi alias Abitex, was charged and remanded to prison on nine counts of rash or negligent acts causing death Contrary to section 277 of the Penal code Act.
The party-goers were killed as revellers thronged a single exit to watch a midnight fireworks display at the side of the parking lot following an announcement by the MC.

Police said four other exits had been ordered shut by the organisers and investigators were looking at whether negligence was to blame for the loss of life.
"We have summoned other individuals including the shopping mall owner, the staff at the concert, the police and other security officers that were providing security at the mall," police spokesman Fred Enanga said earlier.

"We shall also be talking to the parents of the children that died at the concert, the survivors, and other people we deem necessary for the investigations that are ongoing," he said.
On Tuesday, President Museveni ordered a speedy investigation into the stampede and offered the families of the deceased Shs5 million to assist with funeral expenses. 
Most of the victims were aged between 10 and 20, police said.