By Kato Jamil
A jubilant celebration of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United turned fatal in Uganda when a security guard allegedly opened fire on a crowd of fans at a restaurant in Lukaya, in Masaka.
The tragic incident occurred towards the end of the match when John Ssenyonga, a 30-year-old Arsenal supporter, was shot dead at the scene. Another fan, Lawrence Mugejera, was injured and rushed to the hospital for treatment.
According to witnesses, the restaurant’s manager became frustrated by the loud celebration of fans and ordered the security guard to intervene. The situation escalated when the manager cut off power to the building, inciting further noise from the crowd. The guard then allegedly fired multiple shots into the crowd.
Both the guard and the manager fled the scene, and police have since recovered a gun. Authorities are urging witnesses to come forward with information to assist in their capture.
The regional police spokesman, Twaha Kasirye, condemned the incident, urging fans to exercise restraint during celebrations. He noted that violent altercations over football outcomes are not uncommon in Uganda.
In October, an Arsenal fan stabbed a Manchester United supporter during an argument. Last year, a youth councillor in Kampala lost his life intervening in a fight after Arsenal’s loss to Manchester City. In another incident, an Arsenal fan was killed in Adjumani after a heated dispute.
As the English Premier League continues to captivate Ugandan fans, authorities are calling for measures to curb the deadly tensions that have marred the sport’s enjoyment.
