Following two distinct incidences of violence involving supporters of English Premier League clubs, at least two persons are being prosecuted for murder in Uganda.
Police reported that a youth counselor in the nation’s capital Kampala died from stab wounds after intervening to break up a fight after Arsenal’s FA Cup loss to Manchester City on Friday January 27.
After being attacked with a knife the following day, Allan Kakumba was brought to the national referral hospital in Mulago, but he died shortly after being admitted, according news reports.
Two suspects were in police custody, according to a statement from the police.
“We shall be arraigning the suspect in court soon,” Luke Oweyesigire, the spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police told reporters.
According to Mr. Oweyesigire, Kakumba, 25, intervened when his brother Titus Kyendo, an Arsenal supporter, was involved in a heated argument with Manchester City supporters.
This happened less than a week after an Arsenal supporter was fatally beaten in the West Nile district of Adjumani.
Following Arsenal’s victory over Manchester United last month, Richard Ukuyo enraged an anguished supporter, who struck him in the back of the head with a club.
The deceased was described by police as a well-known Arsenal fan.
Eight Arsenal supporters were detained in the eastern city of Jinja after they ransacked the streets to celebrate their team’s 3-2 victory over rival Manchester United in January, which gave Arsenal a five-point lead over United at the top of the Premier League.
The group’s leader and radio host, Felix Bagiire, told the BBC that they intended to taunt Manchester United supporters following the triumph.
According to the police, the group did not have a licence to hold the procession, which is against Ugandan public order laws.
“Does one really need a permit to be excited, to celebrate?” asked Mr Bagiire, whose group was released unconditionally after spending a night in custody.
Author-Roberta Appiah
