By Kerry Howard Mwesigwa.
The Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) has amended criminal charges against popular events promoter Abbey Musinguzi aka Abitex and Emcee Elvis Francis Jjuuko. The two appeared for mention of their case at the Chief Magistrates Court in Makindye on Friday 02nd June 2023. When asked to plead to the amended charges, the two denied all the charges.
Abitex and Jjuuko are facing 13 counts of committing a rash or negligent act occasioning the death of 13 people. The charges stem from the unfortunate New Year cross-over incident that resulted in the death of 11 people and left others injured in a stampede at Freedom City Mall. The State claims that Abitex, Jjuko and others still at large, put people’s lives in danger when they closed all outlets of the venue gates where the event was being held, leaving only one small gate, that could not allow over 20,000 people to exit securely.
During the session before the Grade One Magistrate Igga Adiru, the State Attorney Carol Opia informed the court that investigations into the matter were complete and requested the court to fix a hearing date. The Magistrate proceeded to fix the case on July 4th 2023 when the hearing of the case will kick off and extended the accused’s bail until the hearing date.
