Kampala-President Yoweri Museveni has given bereaved families of the New Year’s Day stampede UGX5m each, as a token of support.
The incident that took place at Freedom City Mall, Namasuba started as a merry-making ceremony to usher in the new year 2023. 10 people have so far been confirmed dead while 18 got injured in the stampede.
Vice President Alupo on Monday handed over UGX5m to the mother of the two children Ibrahim Kizito and Hakimati Nazima, aged 11 and 13 respectively. “UGX5m will be handed over to the biological father of the same two children because they had separated with the mother of the children and they are not living together. Their mother Hanifah Zalwango was grateful to Government for the support,” said Alupo.
The Vice President met the families of the deceased at Freedom City on Monday afternoon, where she commiserated with them and expressed President Museveni and Government’s sympathies.
She also said a detailed report would be availed at the earliest. However, she stated that two (2) people had been arrested to help with further investigations. “That detailed report will provide answers to the questions all of us are asking in our minds,” she said, assuring the families and members of the 4th estate.
Also present at the meeting were the Minister for Kampala-Hajjat Kabanda Minsa, the Deputy Inspector of Police Maj. Gen Godfrey Katsigazi, Wakiso RCC Justine Mbabazi.
Preliminary investigations reveal that the organizers opened a small gate two minutes to midnight for revellers to rush to watch fireworks at the parking yard from the hall where they were watching a music concert. The gate however couldn’t handle the huge number of the revellers causing suffocation from the stampede.
