Ugandans on social media are up in arms and are demanding answers as to how fun loving Ugandans at a music concert was murdered.
Bonus Aine Akankwatsa, a former employee of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)
was allegedly beaten to death by thugs who had infiltrated Hotel Africana People’s Space where female musician Lydia Jazmine’s concert was taking place.
Mr. Akankwatsa, with a pair of friends, had gone to attend star Jazmine’s concert dubbed Last Born. Instead, Friday turned out to be his last day as he was beaten unconsciously. He died on Saturday morning from Mulago Hospital where he was rushed by Police.
Following our story earlier in the morning, Ugandans now want to know how Police okay such music concerts to take place without a clear security plan.
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Netizens have tasked police to answer a few questions. Here are some of them;
- Mr. Akankwatsa was involved in an argument with Police officers over parking fees in a building not owned by them. What is Police doing to tame this backward habit by their men?
- Sometime last year, like in years past, we were told – by the Press – that certain Police men collaborate with the worst of society by loaning them their firearms. Is it possible that the beating of Bonus in full view of concert goers was orchestrated by police who sensed that a BMW driving guy had more than the 5k or 20k parking fare?
- Often times, Police will carelessly carry an injured individual and put him/her on their always very dirty pick up bed. They then proceed to climb pavements and hit potholes at full speed. An unconscious person therefore, can not protect theirselves from the resulting blunt force trauma to their heads. Could these be the “blows” that ended Bonus?
- A beating at a Music concert resulting in death is evidence that the Concert Organisers failed to guarantee security of revellers. Ergo, is Police holding the promoter liable?! (Last year at Freedom City, revellers at another Music show, met their untimely end because the organisers allowed many more people into the venue than it could handle. Police has never told us what their “investigation” yielded!)
Akankwatsa, 40 years, has been laid to rest in Ntungamo district today.
“In profound sorrow, we share the heartbreaking news of our dear friend Akankwatsa Bonus Aine’s passing. Struck by senseless violence at a concert at the Africana hotel, our hearts ache. In the face of this tragedy, we find solace in the belief that our friend has found eternal peace. Let us hold onto cherished memories and support one another through this difficult time,” a message from family made the rounds on Saturday after he was pronounced dead.
According to preliminary investigations, Mr. Akankwatsa was beaten by thugs from the general section of the concert as he made his way to the VIP a section with two female friends.
However, this website has learnt that a few minutes to his alleged beating by thugs, he was involved in a heated argument with some Police officers outside Airtel House which is just a stone throw from Hotel Africana People’s Space.
We have been told that Mr. Akankwatsa and the Police officers argued about parking fees. He had parked inside Airtel House parking space and the Police officers demanded for parking fees before he leaves for the music concert.
He, on the hand, insisted on paying after the concert.
According to statements from ‘witnesses’, the Police officers later calmed down and Akankwatsa- with his two females pals- proceeded, and actually entered the concert venue.
Unfortunately, there was commotion inside and somehow, Akankwatsa and the pals lost contact with the female pals retreating in haste to Airtel House where he had parked the car.
Once at the car, the female pals called Akankwatsa’s phone and informed him of their location.
“He was still okay then, we spoke with him and he told us he would find us in a few minutes,” one of the female pals told us.
However, ten minutes later, they called him back but his phone was switched off.
As they still wondered what could have happened, one of the Police officers, with whom Akankwatsa had an argument with earlier, informed them that their friend was unconscious after a beating.
“He told us to hurry to the Police vehicle and take him to hospital,” the female pal added.
And indeed, by the time they went back to the concert venue, Akankwatsa was lying unconscious in the police car.
He was rushed to Mulago Hospital but sadly pronounced dead the next day (Saturday) at 11am.
Police and family visited the crime scene on Saturday morning and investigations continue.
Rather unfortunately, Hotel Africana is yet to make a statement.
