A Manchester United fan in Lira City, northern Uganda, has died suddenly after watching his favourite team suffer a 7-0 defeat to Liverpool FC in the English Premier League.
Eddy Okello, a driver and resident of Okwor Okwor Cell, Burlobo Ward, was found dead in his bedroom the following day.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Patrick Jimmy Okema confirmed the incident, stating that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of his death.
“Police preliminary investigations indicate that Okello left home at around 6.30PM on March 5, 2023, at to go and watch the football match in the nearby trading centre. He came back home at around 9:30pm. His mother served him supper but did not eat it, saying that he was not feeling well. So, he entered his house and slept,” Mr Okema said Monday evening.
The deceased’s father heard a phone ringing from Okello’s house on Monday morning, but assumed he was resting and left him alone. It was only later in the day that he was informed that his son had died.
The Premier League has caused a lot of excitement among local fans this season. In January, eight Arsenal fans were arrested in Jinja City after celebrating their 3-2 win over United. They were charged with holding an illegal assembly, but were released unconditionally a day later.
In the same month, Richard Ukuyo, an Arsenal fan, was killed in Adjumani District following an argument with a Man Utd fan. Sunday’s 7-0 loss was United’s joint heaviest defeat ever, and came just a week after they won the League Cup.
