Table of Contents
- Arsenal fans in Uganda have an unbridled love for Arsenal
- Declan Rice was an anthem in Kampala after their Champions League win against Real Madrid
- The passion and support are all telling, especially with an all-female Arsenal club
The love Arsenal fans in Uganda have for Emirates is something worth studying. This love was evident after their first leg win of the Champions League against Real Madrid last week.
They broke into song and dance after their stunning 3-0 victory against the Spanish giants. It was an impressive feat in the first leg of the UEFA quarter-finals.
Declan Rice was an anthem in Kampala following his stunning free kick that booked Arsenal’s victory in the first round with Real Madrid. You would be forgiven for thinking that the whole club is Ugandan. The passion and support are all telling, especially with an all-female Arsenal club in the country.
Are Arsenal Fans in Uganda Passionate about Football?
Local apparel shops are the biggest beneficiaries of Arsenal fans in Uganda. They sell jerseys in numbers whenever the team is playing in the English Premier League or in other football competitions such as the Champions League, Carabao, and Europa.
Premier League club Arsenal enjoys insane support in Uganda. Photo/CNN
Isaac Mumema, a veteran Ugandan sports journalist, recently told the BBC during an interview that the love for English football in his home country is profound. He explained that the football scene here is intriguing because Arsenal and Manchester United enjoy a lot of support.
He further pointed out that the North London-based club and other Premier League clubs are very competitive, which spices up football. Thus, the huge support from Uganda goes beyond entertainment joints where matches are watched to WhatsApp groups.
Wagering companies earn handsomely whenever there is action going down at Emirates. the level of advertising for staking is enough evidence that soccer is a sport close to the Ugandan hearts. There are at least 2,000 staking shops spread through Uganda, earning the government $50 million in tax annually.
The younger generation is deeply into football more elevating the support to a level that can only be described as fanaticism.
The Ugly Side of Staunch Support for Arsenal in Uganda
Cops in Uganda arrest a group of Arsenal fans. Photo/BBC Africa
While the club enjoys immense support in this East African country, the fandom has, in several instances, ended in fatalities.
Such love has put Arsenal fans in Uganda at loggerheads with the police over ‘illegal celebration parades’ usually after winning big matches. Ugandan law requires that in instances where such a public event is held, authorities must be notified beforehand.
Even worse, some Arsenal fans in Uganda have lost their lives. In December 2024, locals near Lake Victoria bore the loss of John Senyange, a 30-year-old carpenter who was fatally shot while celebrating Arsenal’s win in Lukaya town.
The late Senyange was a Gunner since his teenage years. On the fateful day, he went to Lukaya town as was the norm for him and others to watch Arsenal vs Manchester United derby.
By a stroke of luck, Arsenal won the match. By the blow of the final whistle to end the game, an excited Senyange rose in jubilation, and his fellow Gunners followed suit as Manchester United fans looked on crestfallen.
The club’s guard, an ardent supporter of Manchester United, felt so irked that he drew his gun and shot Senyange.
In a separate incident in 2023, an Arsenal fan lost his life after being stabbed severally by a Manchester United fan. The Gunners lost to the Red Devils, and a fight ensued between the two fans, leading to loss of life.
A Ugandan Arsenal fan is arrested by cops. Photo/Mashabiki Wa Arsenal Swahili
Beryl Wanjiru, a psychologist based in Nairobi and Kampala, explains that such incidences triggered by loss and wins by a particular foot all team points to a dangerous trend of fanatism. This has, in turn, pushed more youths into staking, which is a silent killer in Uganda.
With high unemployment rates, more youths are staking hoping to walk their way out of poverty by getting quick money.
“You wonder why Uganda has so many betting companies. It’s because of football fanatism, which is beyond a safe level. Knowing how good your team raises your hopes when it comes to placing your stake. Should things go wrong for a while, you are likely to slide into depression and become suicidal. Worse is that you can even eliminate a fan from a rival team,” she explained.
Are Ugandan Arsenal Fans Violent?
Arsenal fans in Uganda are a peaceful lot, according to Solomon Kutesa. He is the secretary of Arsenal Supporters Club, an outfit solely for the Gunners in Uganda. He blames the heavy drinking culture in the country for the violence reported among Arsenal fans.
He added that Manchester United fans always trigger Arsenal fans, which turns fatal whenever both camps are intoxicated. They resort to violence.
Loss of life and life-threatening injuries have been reported in the past where Old Trafford and Emirates supporters clash.
