Arsenal won the English Premier League title after 22 long years of waiting, sparking massive celebrations among fans across East Africa and beyond. The Gunners lifted the trophy following a dramatic 2025/26 season, ending their title drought since the 2003/04 “Invincibles” campaign under Arsène Wenger.
In a characteristically blunt address that has sent ripples through football-loving East Africa, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has poured cold water on Arsenal fans hoping for presidential endorsement of their club’s success.
The veteran leader, known for his no-nonsense style and occasional forays into pop culture, stunned a gathering when he responded to requests for him to celebrate Arsenal. “Celebrate Arsenal? Me, Yoweri Museveni?”
The President reportedly remarked, according to a video circulating widely on social media. The moment, captured and shared , has ignited online debates, with Arsenal supporters both amused and slightly disappointed by the President’s dismissive tone. Museveni, a long-time follower of football but rarely one to openly back English clubs, appeared to mock the very idea of a head of state joining in Premier League revelry.
Museveni, who has led Uganda since 1986, has occasionally referenced sports in his speeches, often using them to draw analogies about discipline, strategy, and national resilience. However, his latest comments suggest a clear boundary: presidential duties do not extend to Premier League party mode.
Arsenal fans in Uganda and across the region have grown in numbers over the past decade, especially during the club’s competitive title challenges under Mikel Arteta. Many had hoped the President might show a lighter side amid recent positive results for the Gunners.
Instead, the President’s remarks have been interpreted by some as a subtle warning against excessive celebration, possibly alluding to maintaining focus on national priorities over foreign sporting obsessions.
The clip has triggered a wave of memes and commentary. While some Arsenal faithful took the President’s words in good humour, others expressed mock outrage, with comments ranging from “Even Museveni is against us” to calls for rival clubs to claim the Ugandan leader’s allegiance.
Political observers note that Museveni rarely misses an opportunity to reinforce his image as a leader focused on serious governance rather than entertainment.As the Premier League season enters its decisive phase, the President’s intervention — whether playful or pointed — has added an unexpected political flavour to the beautiful game in the region. Arsenal fans will likely have to celebrate their milestones without official endorsement from State House Entebbe.