Last updated on January 31st, 2023 at 01:04 pm
Editor's Note: Abitex and MC Francis Jjuko were granted a cash bail of 2M UGX.
Events Promoter Abbey Musinguzi alias Abitex and the Master of Ceremonies Francis Jjuuko Elvis have appeared before the Makindye Grade One Magistrate’s Court on 13 counts of rush and neglect.
Court heard that during the end-of-year festivities at Freedom City, Abitex and Jjuuko negligently ordered over 20,000 revellers to go out and watch fireworks after closing all the gates leaving a single entrance, which led to a stampede.
At least 10 people died and two others escaped with injuries. Both Abitex and Jjuuko pleaded not guilty to the charges and applied for bail through their lawyer Erias Lukwago of Lukwago and Company Advocates.
However, State Attorney Carol Apio objected to Bail applications on grounds that she needs two weeks to carry out more investigations into the matter.
Erias Lukwago shot back saying that the stampede occurred 10 days back, which was enough time for the State to conclude its investigations.
He told the Court that denying his clients Bail infringes on their rights enshrined in the Constitution.
Lukwago also told the Court that the accused person (Abitex and Jjuko) have no capacity to interrupt the investigations when given bail.
“Abitex responded to Police investigations when the incident happened, they recorded statements and Police granted them bond, they also assured Police to help the grieving families and the injured people. They were cooperative and can’t disappear,” Lukwago told the Court.
He also noted that while Jjuuko was never summoned by Police on the very day of the incident, he was ready to record a statement, which he did.
Magistrate Yiga adjourned the case to 2 pm to give his ruling on the duo’s bail application.