Violence marred the Uganda Premier League match between UPDF FC and Express Football Club, culminating in an assault on assistant referee Fahad Sekayiba by a group of Express FC fans. The game concluded with a 1-1 draw as UPDF FC’s Joseph Bright Vuni scored a late equalizer to Wasswa Emmanuel’s early goal at the Bombo Military Barracks Playground.
Upon the final whistle, discontented fans, dissatisfied with the officiating during the match, physically attacked and injured assistant referee Fahad Sekayiba, inflicting multiple wounds on his body and causing bleeding from his nose, mouth, and head.
The aggressive fans also vandalized the vehicle used by match officials and assessors. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has not released an official statement regarding this incident, although the organization has consistently condemned such acts of hooliganism in the past.
In the previous season, both SC Villa and Busoga United had points deducted when some of their fans engaged in violent actions, which tarnished the sport’s reputation. SC Villa was compelled to host five games at a neutral venue, Akii Bua Stadium in Lira, while Onduparaka had to use Bombo Military Barracks Playground for five league fixtures, which may have contributed to their relegation.
This week, during the match between Gadaffi and Busoga United, Busoga United’s captain, Sunday Charles Mulanda, confronted and headbutted the center referee after receiving a red card.
Full Match-Day Five Results:
- Mbarara City 1-0 Arua Hill SC
- KCCA 0-2 NEC FC
- Wakiso Giants 1-3 Kitara
- SC Villa 1-2 BUL FC
- Soltilo Bright Stars 0-2 Vipers SC
- UPDF 1-1 Express
- Gadaffi 0-1 Busoga United
- Maroons 1-1 URA FC
