Police in Uganda’s Kalungu District are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred during celebrations after Arsenal’s Premier League win over Manchester United. The incident took place on Wednesday night at Afric Restaurant, located in the Uganda Cares Building in Lukaya Town Council, Central Uganda.
The victim, John Ssenyonga, 30, a devoted Arsenal fan and carpenter from Juma Cell in Kalungu, was allegedly killed by Richard Okecho, a private security guard employed by Garda World Security Company. Another man, identified only as Lawrence, was also injured during the incident.
Trouble began when Arsenal scored their second goal, giving them a 2-0 lead over Manchester United. Jubilant Arsenal fans erupted in wild celebrations, prompting the restaurant management to switch off the electricity in an attempt to calm the crowd.
This action further aggravated tensions, with the fans becoming increasingly agitated. According to eyewitness Sadi Jjumba, the security guard, Okecho, demanded that the rowdy fans quiet down. When they ignored his warnings, Okecho allegedly opened fire, resulting in Ssenyonga’s death and injuring another.
The Southern Regional Police Spokesman, Twaha Kasirye, confirmed that Okecho fled the scene following the shooting. However, the police were able to recover the gun used in the incident along with a cartridge, which is expected to assist in the ongoing investigation. Mr Kasirye condemned the incident and urged members of the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the capture of Okecho.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, with speculation that it could have been a reaction to the Arsenal fans’ celebration, although it’s uncertain if Okecho himself was a Manchester United supporter or if other factors were involved.
The police spokesman also issued a caution to football fans, advising them to control their emotions during matches to prevent such tragic outcomes in a move that sounds a lot like victim blaming. “These are mere games played thousands of miles away and shouldn’t cause discontent among people who live and sometimes work together,” Mr Kasirye stated.
This incident follows another tragedy involving football fandom in Uganda less than two months ago. On October 27, an Arsenal fan, known only as Onan, allegedly assaulted Manchester United supporter Benjamin Okello, leading to his death at Kyobugombe Trading Centre in Kabale District, Western Uganda.
This pattern of violence among football fans has raised concerns about the intensity of rivalries and the need for better security and crowd management during high-stakes matches.
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