Hundreds of people packed the Freedom City Mall Arena during New Year’s Eve fireworks and festivities on Saturday evening to usher in the new year.
At least eight people have been killed and multiple others injured in a stampede as they tried to make their way out of the mall after the fireworks last night.
Kampala Metropolitan Police says the victims died due to suffocation owing to limited oxygen supply due to a large number of revelers at the venue.
“After the display ended, a stampede ensued, resulting in the instant deaths of five people and injuries to several others,” said Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigire.
“Emergency responders arrived on the scene and transported the injured individuals to the hospital, where nine were confirmed dead. The bodies have been transferred to City Mortuary Mulago.”
The victims include, a 29-year old woman, juveniles aged 11, 14 and 10, and two other children with their age yet to be revealed. Two bodies are yet to be identified.
However, Police is yet to visit the scene by press time.
Thousands of Ugandans this year returned to places of worship, bars, and festivals to welcome the year, after two-year-long forced hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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