KAMPALA – The outspoken Member of Parliament for Mukono Municipality, Hon. Betty Nambooze Bakireke, has sharply criticized President Yoweri Museveni for his recent condemnation of Arsenal fans’ celebrations in Uganda.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The clash follows Arsenal’s triumphant 2025/26 English Premier League victory, sealed on 19 May 2026 after a 22-year wait, after which Arsenal supporters across Uganda organized massive parties and street processions.
The Gunners finished the season with 85 points, a +44 goal difference, and a seven-point gap over Manchester City, lifting the trophy on 24 May 2026 after their final match against Crystal Palace.
During the opening of Uganda’s 12th Parliament, President Museveni took a stern stance, revealing he had rejected an invitation to celebrate Arsenal’s win and declaring he was unfamiliar with the European club.
He questioned how politicians and citizens could passionately cheer for foreign clubs while their own people struggled with unemployment and a lack of wealth.
“How can politicians and citizens passionately cheer for foreign clubs when their own people are struggling with unemployment and a lack of wealth?” Museveni asked.
The president directed NRM ministers and MPs to focus strictly on poverty eradication and job creation, warning that leaders who ignored community development for foreign football hype could face dismissal.
President William Ruto of Kenya offered a light-hearted response, asking a Ugandan delegation to excuse their street excitement, noting that waiting over two decades for a championship was a massive reason to celebrate.
President Ruto also expressed his support for both Arsenal and local teams like the Harambee Stars, underscoring that fandom for foreign clubs need not come at the expense of cheering for one’s national side.
Speaking to journalists last week, Hon. Nambooze vehemently disagreed with the President’s assessment, framing the fans’ energy as an unexpected diplomatic asset since Ugandan supporters were shown on international television worldwide.
She argued that the celebrations would benefit the country by attracting more tourists to a joyful and peaceful nation, and urged the President to recognize the Arsenal fanbase for raising the Ugandan flag on the streets of London.
Nambooze noted that global business trends now reward visibility and soft power, and instead of attacking the people, the President should thank them for flying Uganda’s flag higher than any embassy could.
“Instead of attacking our own people, the President should thank them for flying the Ugandan flag higher than any embassy ever could. Celebrating does not stop us from working. But joy sells a nation better than statistics,” emphasized Hon. Betty Nambooze.
Nambooze highlighted that Arsenal FC holds a special place among many prominent Ugandans, including the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Kazimba Mugaru, as well as numerous Ugandan artists.
The legislator argued that targeting such fans alienates millions of Ugandans, including church leaders and youth, who cannot be dismissed as lazy or misguided for celebrating a historic sporting moment.
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