Ahead of the AFCON 2019 Qualifier match between Uganda’s national football team, The Cranes and Tanzania, Police has warned Ugandans against mixing politics into the sports event.
Uganda faces off with Tanzania at Namboole stadium today at 4pm.
The Police Spokesperson, SSP Emilian Kayima said in a statement that political party colours and symbols will not be accepted at the stadium.
“Today, there is a very this very important game at Namboole between our team and Tanzania,” Kayima said in a statement on Saturday.
He said that football has always been a unifier and asked that the spectators further that spirit. Kayima said the game should be used to prove the spirit and love for the East African Community and Pan Africanism.
“We don’t expect any party colours, party symbols and politics at Namboole stadium,” he said.
The warning comes at a time when the political mood in the country is heightened, following the arrest of MPs in Arua and the spates of riots that unfolded subsequently.
Opposition parties have since the controversial passing of the Age Limit Bill in 2017 been using the red colour to symbolize their resistance to the removal of the Presidential age limit. In recent by-elections, the same colour has been a unifying factor for politicians pushing the ‘People Power’ agenda.
It is therefore likely that people donning red attire which at the same time happens to be part of the Uganda flag colours, will be targets of Police at Namboole.
Meanwhile, Police and sister security agencies have assured the public of security during and after the game.
“Our specialised security units will be on ground to ensure that security is guaranteed,” the Police statement read.
The public have been asked to follow guidelines as given by security and FUFA officials.