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By George KatongoleOn the eve of Arsenal’s anticipated Premier League coronation in May, merchandise shops around Arua Park in Kampala City were stripped bare of Arsenal-branded shirts, as demand peaked among supporters desperate to be part of history.What remained on the shelves had become premium stock overnight. Prices for the few available jerseys soared to about Shs100,000 and above, nearly double the usual market rate.
“Unless you can wait until Monday when we expect new stock, we can’t get you an Arsenal shirt, especially the red ones,” said a shop attendant at Kancy Sports Centre in Kampala, as fans moved from shop to shop in search of the iconic red and white shirts.
The scarcity reflected a wider wave of anticipation sweeping through the city ahead of Arsenal’s final league fixture against Crystal Palace, a crowning moment that sealed a 22-year wait for English top-flight glory.
Surge in demandSportswear dealer Nancy Nekesa said the rush had been building for weeks, with supporters placing advance orders as Manchester City handed the Gunners the trophy with a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth.
“Many fans made orders for Arsenal jerseys in the build-up to the last league game against Crystal Palace. The red shirts were the ones mostly in demand,” Nekesa said.
Most customers opt for cheaper alternatives priced between Shs40,000 and Shs50,000, although scarcity pushed even these mid-range replicas higher than usual. An official Arsenal jersey from the club store typically costs between $85 and $150 (approximately Shs315,000 to Shs555,000), a price point far beyond the reach of many casual fans.
“Most people who want original jerseys or standard replicas are capable of making their own orders from the Arsenal or Adidas official shops,” Nekesa noted.Actually, what dominates the Kampala market are high-quality replicas, often referred to as “AAA” or “Thai versions,” with authentic kits largely purchased directly from official retailers abroad.
Fashion, identityNekesa observed that demand is not limited to Arsenal alone, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona also commanding strong sales.
“Because most younger fans are driven by digital first, they want to show their support online. Being with their club’s jerseys and mingling with people of their ilk drives them into social gatherings and sports fashion,” she said.Across Kampala and other towns, football shirts have increasingly become symbols of identity, fashion and digital expression, particularly among younger supporters who celebrate clubs thousands of kilometres away as if they were local teams.
Nationwide celebrationsWhen Arsenal’s title was eventually confirmed, Uganda erupted into widespread celebrations.From churches to entertainment centres, fans marked the occasion in diverse settings. Notable gatherings included thanksgiving services at St Cyprian Catholic Church Hoima and St Mark Church of Uganda Kikungiri in Kigezi, where special prayers were held alongside football celebrations.
Public screening centres such as Yes Centre Nsambya and Kavumba Recreation Centre also hosted large crowds, with fans donning full Arsenal kits, waving flags, and chanting club anthems deep into the night.
Similar scenes were reported in major towns, where viewing centres turned into spontaneous celebration grounds.In neighbouring Kenya, thousands of Arsenal supporters took to the streets, particularly in Nairobi’s Central Business District, while social media platforms were flooded with congratulatory messages, memes and videos of street celebrations.At St Mark Kikungiri Church, an Arsenal Fans Thanksgiving Service drew a full house of supporters, local leaders and invited guests.
After routine church announcements, a special segment dedicated to football saw the Archdeacon, Venerable Amos Tweteise, acknowledge the unusual blend of faith and sport.An Arsenal anthem played through the speakers, followed by the chant “Stand Up for the Champions,” triggering jubilant scenes as fans waved flags inside the church sanctuary.
Fans in Jinja Town celebrating Arsenal’s title triumph. The Ugandan fans celebrated in overdrive the 22-year old wait
Jinja’s paradeIn Jinja, Arsenal supporters organised one of the most coordinated celebrations led by local radio personality Felix “Shamlove” Bagiire, chairperson of Arsenal fans in Busoga.For Bagiire, the triumph was deeply personal. He was only four years old when Arsenal last lifted the Premier League trophy.“At last I witnessed my favourite players Saka and Max Dowman lift the trophy. I’m so happy I can’t hold back the joy,” he said.He mobilised fans through social media and Baba FM, gathering thousands for a trophy parade that stretched from Bugembe to Jinja City.“We had about 5,000 people. We started from Baba FM, and everyone had to be in Arsenal colours,” he said.
The parade featured a convoy of about 100 vehicles, boda bodas and pedestrians, all moving behind a replica trophy Bagiire hired at Shs1 million.
Fans contributed Shs10,000 each for participation at Fantasy Lounge, while the group also watched the decisive match on a big screen accompanied by artistes including B2C.
Despite logistical challenges, including limited space and earlier police clearance concerns, organisers said the event was a success, with support from sponsors such as Chico Mchuzi Mix, Da Promise Primary School and Dalton Phone Centre.“We got police clearance this time. In 2023 we had issues, so we corrected everything,” Bagiire noted.
Beyond footballArsenal’s celebrations quickly spilled into political discourse across East Africa.
President Yoweri Museveni questioned the intensity of celebrations for a foreign club, saying citizens should prioritise domestic challenges.
“Celebrate for what? I was a footballer myself… but I gave up football in 1966. I’m in Uganda. Liberation, poverty, jobs. So please, you can have your Arsenal, but start with the people,” Museveni was quoted as saying.
His remarks reignited debate about the place of global entertainment culture in African societies.
In Kenya, Arsenal briefly entered parliamentary discussion, with lawmakers referencing the club’s triumph in light-hearted exchanges that mixed humour, football rivalry and popular culture.
Kenyan President William Ruto, a known Arsenal supporter, congratulated the club, describing the victory as a story of “resilience, focus and teamwork” that resonated beyond sport.
In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame also joined in the celebrations, congratulating Arsenal and acknowledging the visibility created through the club’s long-running “Visit Rwanda” partnership, which has positioned the country on a global football marketing stage.
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