A murder investigation has been initiated following the death of an Arsenal supporter who was reportedly involved in a dispute during celebrations for the team’s Premier League win. The victim, a 34-year-old man known as Denis, was allegedly assaulted by a Manchester United fan shortly after Arsenal secured their first Premier League title in 22 years on May 24. The altercation took place in Kampala, Uganda, where Denis was watching the match on television.
Ugandan authorities have launched a search for the suspect involved in the incident that occurred in Kampala on the same day Arsenal clinched the Premier League trophy with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Fans worldwide have celebrated Arsenal’s long-awaited triumph, marking their first Premier League victory since the 2003/04 season when they went unbeaten throughout the campaign.
According to Rachel Kawala, a spokesperson for the Kampala police, initial investigations suggest that Denis, an Arsenal supporter, and the alleged Manchester United fan got into a disagreement that turned physical, resulting in the fatal injury to Denis. Efforts are underway to apprehend the suspect.
The Premier League enjoys significant popularity in Uganda, where fans gather at local venues to watch matches on large screens. Recent celebrations in London following Arsenal’s win were marred by violence, with six stabbings and multiple arrests reported. The Metropolitan Police deployed 500 officers to control the chaos during the Arsenal Champions Parade.
In the aftermath of the celebrations, ten individuals were arrested for assaulting police officers, while three others were apprehended on suspicion of sexual assault. Despite the incidents, police confirmed that there were no serious injuries in five of the stabbings, but one victim remains in critical condition after being attacked.