A supporter of English football club Arsenal, celebrating the team’s win over Manchester United, has been reportedly shot dead by a security guard in Uganda.
Another supporter sustained injuries as the guard fired into a large crowd of ecstatic fans at a restaurant in Lukaya town, located about 100km from the capital, Kampala, as the match was about to end. Arsenal won the encounter 2-0.
A local journalist informed the BBC that the establishment manager was upset by the noise created by the joyful fans and requested the guard take action. However, the supporters ignored a warning to lower their volume.
Witnesses say that the owner turned off the restaurant’s power, provoking the fans, who became even louder in their celebrations. It was at this point that the guard reportedly opened fire, discharging several rounds.
The deceased has been identified as John Ssenyonga, a 30-year-old, who died at the scene. Another dedicated Arsenal supporter, Lawrence Mugejera, was transported to the hospital for medical care.
Following the incident, the security guard and the restaurant’s manager fled, and police are actively searching for them. The regional police spokesperson, Twaha Kasirye, was quoted by the Daily Monitor newspaper as stating that they had recovered a firearm at the site.
“We denounce this incident and urge anyone with information that could assist the police in apprehending the suspect to come forward,” he stated.
He also called on fans to manage their excitement appropriately.
Conflicts and unfortunate violence stemming from football matches’ results, particularly those involving English teams, frequently occur in a country where the English Premier League is closely followed.
In October, an Arsenal supporter stabbed a Manchester United fan after they argued about the results of a match between Arsenal and Liverpool.
In January of the previous year, a youth councillor succumbed to stab wounds in Kampala after stepping in to resolve a dispute following Arsenal’s loss to Manchester City.
