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Abbey Musinguzi, the manager of Abtex Promotions and Marketing Agency has been remanded to Luzira prisons following the death of 10 revellers at the Freedom City Mall.
Musinguzi, 52 on Tuesday appeared before the Makindye Grade One Magistrate Igga Adiru. He was remanded until January 10.
Musinguzi faces nine counts of ‘Rush and Negligent’ act that led to the death of people contrary to Section 227 of the Penal Code Act.
According to particulars of the offense, Musinguzi and others still at large on December 31, 2022, and January 1, 2023, at Freedom City in a manner so rush or negligent endangered the lives of people by closing other outlets, leaving one small gate that could not be used by more than 20,000 people to move out safely.
The dead are; Daniel Kibuuka, Ibrahim Kizito, Nakimati Nazama, Viola Nakanwagi, Mary Namyalo, Haddijja Nakakande, Kibuuka Daniella, Shafiq Mwane, and Margaret Nakatumba.
“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,” according to prosecution.
The music promoter is also accused of causing the death of nine people. They include Daniel Kibuuka, Daniella Kibuuka, Ibrahim Kizito, Nazama Hakimati, Viola Nakanwagi, Mary Namyalo, Hadja Nakakand, Shafik Mwane and Margret Nakatumba.
Musinguzi appeared before Makindye Court Grade One Magistrate Igga Adiru and denied the charges.
Counsel Erias Lukwago said Musinguzi was remanded until January 10, 2023, when he will re-appear in court for the hearing of his bail application.
Abitex’s lawyer Erias Lukwago said that he had hoped that his client would be granted bail.
Lukwago expressed disappointment and described the proceedings against Musinguzi as ‘ironical’ arguing that the owner of Freedom City Mall, John Sebalamu, his manager, and police officers who were hired to provide security should equally be arraigned in court for acts of negligence.
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