At least 9 people were killed and several others injured in a stampede at a shopping mall in Uganda’s capital Kampala during New Year celebrations, police said on Sunday.
After the fireworks outside the Freedom City shopping center, south of the capital, “a stampede ensued, causing the instant death of 5 people while injuring many othersPolice spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire said in a statement. “Rescuers arrived at the scene and transported the injured to hospital, where a total of nine people were confirmed dead“, he continued.
Luke Owoyesigyire clarified that “youth“were among the victims, and denounced the facts”recklessness and negligence“, without giving more details. These New Year celebrations in Uganda, a country in Africa’s Great Lakes region, were the first in three years, after restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic and security problems.