Why Arsenal and Manchester United Are are the Biggest Causes of Fan Volatility in Uganda

Uganda recorded four EPL-related deaths in 2023 alone. Among them: two Arsenal fans killed by United supporters, one death following United’s 7-0 loss to Liverpool, and another after Arsenal’s defeat at the hands of their old rivals.

Arsenal’s emphatic 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals triggered wild scenes of celebration across Uganda. In towns and villages, fans gathered outside bars and video halls, singing and dancing late into the night. 

To outsiders, it might have looked like the Gunners were a Ugandan team—so fervent was the adoration.

“Whenever Arsenal plays, the entire nation seems to know,” reported the BBC, highlighting the Gunners’ stature alongside Manchester United as one of the most passionately supported English Premier League (EPL) sides in Uganda.

This deep-rooted loyalty has fostered a full-fledged football subculture. Sunday church services often include prayers for a team victory, fans parade in club colours, and jerseys fly off the shelves from Kampala to rural trading centres. 

But this loyalty has also led to something far more disturbing—violence and even death.

Why Arsenal & Man United are the biggest causes of fan violence in Uganda

The rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United fans in Uganda has spilled well beyond friendly banter. In recent years, the country has witnessed a troubling number of violent incidents tied directly to the outcomes of EPL matches.

In one tragic case last December, villagers gathered near Lake Victoria not for a match but for the funeral of John Senyange, a 30-year-old carpenter. 

According to the BBC, Senyange was shot dead by a security guard after cheering Arsenal’s victory over Manchester United.

In a separate incident earlier in the season, 300km away in Kabale, a Manchester United fan named Benjamin Ndyamuhaki lost his life after getting stabbed by an Arsenal supporter following a heated argument over another high-stakes match.

Uganda recorded four EPL-related deaths in 2023 alone. Among them: two Arsenal fans killed by United supporters, one death following United’s 7-0 loss to Liverpool, and another after Arsenal’s defeat at the hands of their old rivals.

“This soccer fanaticism has even grown stronger with the younger generation,” said Stone Kyambadde, chairman of the Uganda Football Coaches Association (UFCA), speaking to the BBC. “They can stream matches from anywhere, but it’s still mostly a community experience. Even in remote areas, fans crowd into makeshift video halls.”

Betting a big cause for violence

So what fuels such emotional volatility? Experts say it's a mix of extreme passion and the widespread rise of sports betting.

“Football should make us happy,” said sports scientist Lumbuye Linika. “Western soccer is meant to entertain. But in Uganda, it’s become a livelihood. That spoils the fun.”

With over 2,000 betting shops operating across Uganda and betting apps just a tap away, EPL games have become high-stakes affairs for many fans.

“Many people are jobless and turn to betting to earn quick money,” explained fan Amos Kalwegira to the BBC. “It becomes an emotional investment—and when the results don’t go your way, that emotion can quickly become aggression.”

Several violent episodes have been traced back to disputes over lost bets, particularly in settings where alcohol is readily available.

“Some fans are already intoxicated while watching, and when their team loses or their bets fail, they become impossible to manage,” said Solomon Kutesa, secretary of the Arsenal Supporters Club in Uganda.

While gaming companies are making significant tax contributions—$50 million in revenue last year alone, according to local reports—critics say they’re capitalising on obsession and desperation.

But Collins Bongomin, a senior executive at one such company, defended the industry. “It’s not about betting,” he told the BBC. “It’s about poor emotional management and unrealistic expectations. We’re actively promoting responsible gambling.”

‘You rarely hear of Liverpool fans causing chaos’

Interestingly, not all EPL fanbases in Uganda are equally volatile. According to Linika, teams like Liverpool tend to attract older, more financially stable supporters who are less prone to emotional outbursts.

“You rarely hear of Liverpool fans causing chaos,” he said. “Most Arsenal and Man United fans come from less affluent areas.”

Pamela Icumar, also known as “Mama Liverpool,” agreed: “Even when we’re losing, we know how to handle it.”

But Arsenal diehard Agnes Katende laughed at that notion, brushing off the stereotype.

Can local football offer an escape?

As calls grow louder to redirect this passion toward Uganda’s own football league, some believe restoring pride in local clubs could help.

“The current generation knows only European football,” Kyambadde lamented. “If we invested in our local league, we could shift attention away from the EPL.”

Former Uganda Cranes star Tom Lwanga, who played in the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations final, echoed that sentiment. “Back then, stadiums were packed. We need to return to that era.”

One significant obstacle is the lack of televised local matches, which makes following the domestic league a challenge.

Asuman Basalirwa, chair of the Ugandan Parliamentary Sports Club, wants that to change. “We need more leaders in the stadiums— even the president. That’s how we bring back the love for local football.”

‘This is our season’

Despite their title hopes fading, Arsenal fans like Kutesa remain upbeat. “We’re where we belong,” he said confidently. “This is definitely our season.”

That confidence, though, continues to walk a fine line. For many in Uganda, EPL fandom is not just a passion—it’s become an identity. Until the culture around it is reshaped, the risks may continue to outweigh the reward.