THE CASE OF UGANDA
BY JACOB WAISWA
A SITUATION HEALTH ANALYST
0774336277
Around 1990s and a few years that followed, football made in German was the main foreign soccer entertainment in Uganda –along Africa Cup and World Cup. It made people’s lives, and beers; club and pilsner filled tables. And German soccer, Cameroon and Nigeria were the talk of the town.
Years that followed, premier league, took the stage as Ugandans were out and about identifying themselves with the English clubs. The most prominent English club then was Allan Shearer’s Newcastle. But soon Manchester United, Arsenal Football Club, Liverpool and Chelsea shot to prominence.
As of now, many Ugandans boast of being fans to either of the listed clubs. They boast of their rich histories, the kind of football played, the fan-base, and the club’s wealth status. They do not end here, but go as far as arguing about period taken supporting or fanning the clubs.
And as part of the greeting, there would be a question, about which clubs any of the acquaintances supported, and each would reveal his side. While those who could be categorized as most conservative give Ugandan clubs, while the least conservative would say both Ugandan club and English club. Fanatics of premier league would shun Ugandan football for never developing.
The Ugandan football, then, was famed more for being violent more than the entertainment bit. In fact, they were second to none in as far as keeping riot policing busiest. As Ugandan football was heading to hell, the premier league took the driving seat.
In the years that followed, it began threatened discotheques, cinemas and drama groups as most attractive entertainment scene though passive. Of the three only discotheques and cinemas managed to cope.
They did so, integrating soccer on their entertainment menu. Actually, with drama those who lacked an alternative, as singing were no body (in the entertainment industry) but “dead.” Radio stations too had to style up –by adding soccer talk onto their programmes.
And, today, as compared to other programme presenters, soccer presenters are more popular. Even if J. Kazoora was still one, he would not have competed. This is what one would call the power of soccer.
Bars blossomed -since football entertainment went directly hand in hand with drinking beers. Someone, whose club was victor, could stand up and buy beers for the audience to celebrate with him.
Remember, football watching is mainly a man’s take. So, there could be a gender bias as we go along –because with them it is notably, reading novels and watching love stories on television or at Cineplex. As a result, relationships suffered –the same way as today.
Now, premiership has taken up Uganda like coup d’état. It has more-less replaced traditional religious believes. Unlike, in the early political history of Uganda –when people identified with religions, today, they would wish to be indentified with premier league clubs. Premier league clubs are, instead, the talk of the town. One would be proud to say is an Arsenal fan or Manchester United rather than the old talk of religious inclination.
After a long period of political party ban, a switch to Manchester united or Arsenal could make much sense to people. And for those who are fatigued with politically fighting Museveni out of power too found a better thing to do –which was to watch premier league.
With it they were surer of wining a game than waste time on Museveni out of power. They thus, refreshed or found better life in watching football. This helped reduce political pressure on Museveni –which could a more important attribute than to Kaihura’s riot police boys.
Those stressed by work, also, too could find an inevitable time for premier league football. It could be the best alternative stress managing activity –though greatest well-being moments would prevail more if the team won. The same would be for those angered or just been in a conflicting situation. It is premier-league soccer that would bring relaxation away from stressful objects and people.
The most challenging time would often be at end of the league in May. Thereon, everyone would begin looking towards august –when the league resumes. It could be harder life to live especially for those in overwhelmingly stressful environments or permanently living with stressors. It would be woeful.
But thanks to the radios stations, they keep people as far as rural with premier league news and in particular their clubs. Radios are able to relay football transfer news, moderate discussions about football, and by far; help to keep football club spirits high, people cheerful -and expressing happiness.
Even, when his or her football club gets beaten, they meet as fans to talk out mistakes, and thereafter, look forward to winning ways next weekend –with reinforcement from radio and television presenters, newspapers and internet club websites. These mediums asses games and give verdicts that are positive-oriented to the fans. What a contribution to mental health!
Premier-league football shows bring about a cross section of people together –and have unconscious way of uniting people. When strange people of the same club meet, they feel proud and share it together.
The initially stranger-man’s appearance would no longer be there but rather friendship or brotherhood. It would probably augur well for people in relationships or just dating –because of the mere fact that having similar interests -as same football clubs created a stronger bonds than not.
Development-wise, premier league football has helped provide employment -both as self-employed or employed by someone else. This is in form of club products and services sold to the general fan population, and the viewership, respectively.
Uganda now local businesses in that area like Katumwa sports shop for foot ball club products, GTV and DStv as service providers. Within them, there are both employees and employers.
And in one way or the other, government gets revenue for development projects, which would not have been the case without strong demand for premier league viewing and fanning in the country.
Unfortunately, over the last two years there are has been about three cases of deaths linked to football. The latest in Kampala was regarding brothers struggling over which game to watch on the same television set. They fought until one stabbed the other to death.
Another was in Jinja Town, where an Arsenal fan -thinking that it could a habit for the club to lose after it went down by one goal for Spurs, collapsed and died. It was unaffordable for him to see his team lose in presence of his girl friend.
The funny bit was that Arsenal Football Club went on to win the game 3 to 1. Perhaps, the lady did not do enough to call for patience or might have belonged to another football club. And may be if he was alone (without girl friend), he would have held on to see his team win. May their souls rest in Eternal peace.
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