Proline Football Club director, Mujib Kasule, expressed disapproval towards Ugandans who shared memes on social media shortly after East Africa’s Pamoja Bid secured the hosting rights for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.
Following the announcement on September 27th, many Ugandans turned to memes, using images, videos, or text to express their hopes, worries, and frustrations regarding the upcoming tournament. Kasule criticized this behavior, viewing it as a sign of insufficient patriotism among Ugandans.
During a radio appearance over the weekend, Kasule commented, “For me, it is an indicator of the lack of patriotism. With a patriotic population, regardless of the country’s appearance, when you have an opportunity like co-hosting AFCON 2027, you will rally behind it.”
Kasule acknowledged that patriotism has often clashed with sports in Uganda but emphasized that the successful Pamoja bid should serve as an opportunity to address this issue. He noted, “Patriotism in this country has not been a priority. However, sports provide an olive branch. When people get involved in sports, they forget their differences.”
Many Ugandans expressed concerns about security, infrastructure, and the potential for corruption during the tournament, believing it could tarnish the country’s image.
Interestingly, Kenyans also participated in this online discourse, sharing concerns about their own readiness in terms of infrastructure and suggesting a focus on athletics instead.
