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A tragic incident unfolded in Uganda when a 30-year-old avid Arsenal supporter, John Ssenyonga, was shot dead by a security guard while celebrating his team’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United on a Saturday afternoon.
The celebration took place at a popular restaurant located in Lukaya town, approximately 100 kilometers from the bustling capital city of Kampala.
The match itself was an exhilarating encounter for Arsenal fans, marked by impressive goals from players Jurien Timber and William Saliba. Their win ignited fervent celebrations among the enthusiastic fans gathered at the restaurant, where the atmosphere was electric with excitement.
However, the festive mood quickly soured when the restaurant’s manager, reportedly overwhelmed by the raucousness, expressed frustration at the noise levels. In an attempt to restore order, the manager instructed the security guard to intervene.
As the guard approached, he delivered warnings to the fans to lower their volume. When these warnings went unheeded, the situation escalated dramatically; the manager made the drastic decision to cut the power to the building, plunging the restaurant into darkness.
Amid the chaos that ensued, tensions rapidly escalated. Distressed by the situation, the security guard drew his firearm and, in a shocking act of violence, opened fire on the crowd. Tragically, Ssenyonga was struck and killed instantly, while another fan, Lawrence Mugejera, sustained injuries and is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital.
Regional Police Spokesman Twaha Kasirye confirmed the horrifying incident and vehemently condemned the actions of the security guard. He urged the community to come forward with any information that could aid the police in bringing the perpetrator to justice.
“We condemn the incident, and we ask anyone with information that can help the police bring the suspect to justice to come forward,” Kasirye stated in a report to local media. He also took the opportunity to encourage football fans to celebrate responsibly, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that such tragic events do not become a recurring theme.
Sadly, this is not the first time that a fan-related incident has turned fatal in Uganda. In October, a 22-year-old fan named Benjamin Okello was killed following a heated argument regarding Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Kyobugombe Trading Centre, highlighting a disturbing trend of violence associated with football fandom in the region.
