The long wait finally ended for Arsenal supporters and Uganda’s football faithful made sure the celebrations matched the moment as fans across the country flooded streets, bars and viewing centres to celebrate the club’s Premier League triumph.
From Kampala to Mbarara, Hoima, Mbale and Soroti, towns were painted red on Premier League Championship Sunday as Arsenal jerseys dominated the streets. Fans donned both the latest kits and retro shirts in scenes that reflected the excitement of ending a 22-year wait for the league title.
Reports indicated that demand for Arsenal jerseys surged throughout the week, with supporters snapping up nearly every available shirt ahead of the title celebrations. Chants, music, parades and endless fan banter defined the day as supporters turned the occasion into what many described as a public holiday.
In Kampala, the biggest celebrations unfolded at Millennium Grounds in Lugogo where Guinness, the official beer partner of the Premier League, hosted a massive season finale event that fused football, music and creativity.
Hours before the 6pm kick-off, fans had already started filling the venue, proudly dressed in Arsenal colours while singing club anthems and reliving the emotional rollercoaster of the title race. Cold bottles of Guinness circulated through the packed grounds as anticipation built towards the final whistle and eventual trophy lift.
“This is our day. We’ve waited for this trophy for over 20 years and the patience has finally paid off,” said Patience Asio, who has supported Arsenal for 28 years.
“Many fans have been ridiculing us for seasons, calling us bridesmaids. After many years of being nearly men, now we have a say during fan banter,” added fellow supporter Jeff Musinguzi.
The loudest moment of the evening arrived when Arsenal officially lifted the Premier League trophy, sparking wild scenes across the venue. Fans jumped onto chairs, waved scarves and embraced strangers as celebrations erupted around the Guinness Matchday Truck and giant viewing screens spread across the grounds.
Guinness Brand Manager Denise Paula Nazzinda said the turnout showed just how strongly Ugandans connect with Premier League football.
“Whether you’re an Arsenal fan or not, this has been a great season. It was so unpredictable that the champion had to emerge in the final week. This has been a sold-out event, and we look forward to creating more of these moments next season,” Nazzinda said.
Beyond football, the event also leaned heavily into art and culture. A paint-and-sip session opened the festivities before musicians and fashion creatives transformed the evening into a full entertainment showcase.
Elijah Kitaka delivered one of the standout performances of the night during a fashion and music fusion segment that featured models showcasing recycled outfits designed by Ekikumba Fusion.
“It was a delight to offer fans a cultural experience where music and creativity came together. That is exactly what Guinness stands for, bringing people together through bold shared moments. It gave fans a platform to celebrate in different ways while enjoying entertainment that reflects today’s culture,” Nazzinda added.
Rapper Fik Fameica, himself an Arsenal supporter, drew huge cheers when he stepped onto the stage wearing his “Champion Bwoy” jersey. Fans waved scarves and sang along as the rapper performed in front of thousands of jubilant supporters celebrating Arsenal’s historic triumph.
King Saha later crowned the night with an energetic set that kept fans dancing deep into the night while some of Kampala’s top DJs maintained the electric atmosphere at Lugogo.
For Arsenal fans, it was not just another football celebration. It was release, redemption and finally having bragging rights after more than two decades of waiting.
