A celebratory gathering of Arsenal fans turned deadly in central Uganda when a security guard allegedly opened fire on a crowd, killing one and injuring another during Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United.
The incident occurred at a restaurant in Lukaya town, approximately 100km from Kampala, towards the end of the match. The victim, identified as 30-year-old John Ssenyonga, died at the scene, while another fan, Lawrence Mugejera, sustained injuries and was hospitalized.
According to eyewitness accounts, the building’s manager became frustrated with the noise from jubilant fans and instructed the security guard to intervene. Despite warnings to quiet down, the fans continued celebrating, prompting the manager to cut power to the restaurant. The action further agitated the crowd, escalating tensions.
Witnesses reported that in the chaos that ensued, the guard allegedly opened fire, firing multiple shots into the crowd.
Following the shooting, both the guard and the building’s manager fled the scene. Police have launched an investigation and recovered a firearm at the location. Regional police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye called for public assistance in apprehending the suspects, stating, “We condemn the incident and ask anyone with information that can help the police to bring the suspects to book to speak up.”
Uganda has a deeply passionate fanbase for the English Premier League, but this fervor has, on several occasions, led to violent altercations.
- October 2024: An Arsenal fan stabbed a Manchester United fan during a heated argument over match results.
- January 2023: A youth councillor in Kampala was fatally stabbed while trying to mediate a dispute after Arsenal lost to Manchester City.
- January 2023: An Arsenal fan was beaten to death in Adjumani, West Nile district, after an altercation related to a match result.
In light of this tragic pattern, police urged fans to manage their emotions during games. “We urge football enthusiasts to celebrate responsibly and avoid actions that could endanger lives,” Kasirye emphasized.
While investigations continue, this latest incident underscores the need for dialogue and stricter measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
