A lot of people especially in the media have endlessly talked and written about this hooliganism in the stadiums but the concerned authorities have kept a deaf ear. Since last season, Villa and Express fans have been involved in these acts by pelting stones to club administrators and match officials but action has been taken.
At the kick off last season, Villa fans attacked match officials and the tax collectors technical staff after URA FC snatched a late equaliser at Namboole stadium. Fitness Coach Ibrahim Kirya was left bruised with injuries. Still last season, the same fans threw stones in the pavillion section at Wankulukuku with an aim of hurting former Villa forward and interim UFA Chairman Dan Walusimbi accusing him of masterminding a player strike at Villa Park a season before.
Earlier this season, Villa fans led by a one Kizito wanted to beat up the director of football Joseph Kanaaba after losing 1-0 to Masaka LC in their league opener. They went on to pelt the club media van in which Kanaaba was travelling with stones.
At Wankulukuku this season, Express FC fans pelted stones at match officials handling the Express FC – Proline game after Coach Sam Ssimbwa was sent to the stands. Fourth official Ronnie Kalema was left injured after a stone hit him on the head. They went on to act in a similar fashion after URA FC held them to a 2 all draw recently aiming stones at URA FC players particularly Simon Masaba.
Another ugly scene was at Kakindu when Bidco FC hosted SC.Villa. Again Villa fans led by Kizito and Tito pelted stones at Bidco FC officials prompting Police to fire tear gas to calm the situation.
At Lugazi Municipal stadium yesterday, rowdy Villa fans again were at it pelting stones at assistant referee Sam Kayondo after he awarded what was a clear penalty to URA FC. Allan Owiny converted to make it 3-1 to the hosts but after restart, the hooliganism escalated and Police and a solidier available had to use tear gas, rubber bullets and live bullets in the air to disperse Villa fans who were throwing stones at URA fans who tried to remove their flags from the stadium.
In the incidents, Bukedde T.V’s Journalist Diego Nsubuga was hit by a tear gas canister and had to be rushed to hospital. URA FC goal keeping Coach Sadiq Wassa also got injured and could only limp after the situation calmed.
Yours truly had to run to the dressing room to escape unhurt. The match was eventually aborted with 18 – 20 minutes on the clock.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY:
Capital FM’s Tuuka Brian asserts that the hooligans must be arrested and charged with inciting violence and causing harm to innocent spectators. “These fools are known by their faces. Police with help of clubs, USL and Fufa must arrest and imprison these guys”, he said. The same is echoed by Daily Monitor’s Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo and Wasike Abdu.
The Observer’s John Vianney Nsimbe says that clubs whose fans are involved must be docked points. “If these fans really love their clubs, they will stop it if you dock 3-6 points off their clubs”, he asserts.
URA FC Chairman Ali Ssekatawa insists that their club, such un sporting behaviour is not tolerated at URA FC and says the culprits since known must be brought to book.
Proline’s Director Mujib Kasule who was at Lugazi too said, ” We have to stop this once and for all. Fufa, USL and clubs must work in tandem and arrest these fans because they are well known”.
At this rate, hooliganism doesn’t only stop football fans from going to stadiums to watch football but also hinders the growth of the beautiful game.
