KAMPALA. – Police in Kalungu District in Central Uganda are investigating circumstances under which a security guard shot dead a staunch fan of Arsenal amid chaos at a restaurant where the fans were watching the Gunners’ league match against Manchester United.
The incident occurred at Afric Restaurant in Uganda Cares Building in Lukaya Town Council in Kalungu District on Wednesday night.
A trigger-happy private security guard opened fire, killing John Ssenyonga, 30, and injuring another man only identified as Lawrence.
Ssenyonga was a carpenter at Juma Cell in Kalungu District.
The security guard, identified as Richard Okecho, is attached to Garda World Security Company.
The Gunners had just doubled their lead over Manchester United in an English Premiership match when trouble started.
Arsenal fans started celebrating wildly after their favourite team took a 2-0 lead.
This prompted the managers of the restaurant to switch off the electricity.
This did not go well with Arsenal fans, who started protesting against the decision.
“Okecho ordered the rowdy revellers to keep quiet, but they never took heed which prompted him to open fire, shooting one Arsenal fan dead and injuring another,” an eyewitness, Sadi Jjumba, said.
Southern Regional Police Spokesman, Mr Twaha Kasirye, said Okecho disappeared after the incident but the police managed to recover the gun from the scene of crime.
“We have recovered the cartridge from the crime scene which is going to help us with the investigations.
“We condemn the incident and we ask anyone with information that can help police to bring the suspect to book,” he said.
Okecho, according to Mr Kasirye was providing security services to the Uganda Cares building, which also houses the restaurant.
It is not yet clear whether Okecho is a Manchester United fan who was angered by the celebrating Arsenal fans or whether the shooting was motivated by other factors.
Mr Kasirye warned football fans to always control their excitement while watching the matches to avoid such incidents.
“These are mere games played thousands of miles away and shouldn’t cause discontent among people who live and sometimes work together,” he said.
The deceased’s body was taken to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital for autopsy.
Less than two months ago, an Arsenal fan, only identified as Onan, allegedly assaulted a Manchester United fan Benjamin Okello leading to his death.
The incident happened at Kyobugombe Trading Centre in Kaharo Sub County, Kabale District in Western Uganda on October 27.