15 Arrested for Fake Tickets at Uganda vs. South Africa Match

(Kampala) – Police arrested 15 people during the Uganda vs. South Africa Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Namboole Stadium on November 15, 2024, for involvement in criminal activities, including selling counterfeit tickets. Twelve suspects are set to appear in court, while three university students were cautioned and released.

During a joint weekly security briefing at Naguru Police headquarters, Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed the arrests, saying they followed intelligence reports about ticket fraud. “Out of the 15, three were cautioned as they were students, but 12 will face charges in court,” he said.

The suspects are expected to appear at Kira Magistrate’s Court on Monday, November 18, 2024, to face charges of dealing in counterfeit tickets.

While the event saw no major security breaches, Owoyesigyire reported two additional incidents: one individual was found intoxicated and lying in the middle of the road, and another was discovered after being assaulted. Investigations are ongoing to understand the circumstances surrounding the assault.

The match itself ended in a 2-0 victory for South Africa, with James Thapelo Morena scoring early in the second half and Patrick Maswanganyi adding a stoppage-time goal. Despite the loss, Uganda had already secured qualification for the tournament alongside South Africa.

Uganda’s Cranes now look ahead to their final qualification match against Congo next Tuesday. With 10 points from five games, the team is optimistic about finishing the campaign strong.