Three people were on Sunday night knocked dead by speeding vehicles as drivers celebrated Uganda’s qualification to the 2017 Afcon finals.
Farouk Miya’s 34th minute goal that broke the 38 year jinx also saw Uganda sail through to next year’s finals. The victory however threw Uganda Cranes fans around the city into frenzy as they celebrated the victory on Sunday evening. .
Addressing a news conference on Monday, police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi told journalists that after the game, the fans became unruly as they jubilated the national team’s win and eventual qualification to the Afcon finals.
“At around 8pm, a yet to be identified speeding vehicle knocked dead Esther Namyala,17 and Teddy Namalwa who were crossing the road at Kalerwe. Another incident along the same stretch saw 50 year old Isma Kanubbi also knocked dead by a speeding vehicle,” Kaweesi said.
“The accidents were caused by happiness and jubilation that made people drive recklessly while on the road.”
Kaweesa said both drivers are on the run but police is looking for them.
In related incidents, the police spokesperson has said that over 60 people were arrested on Sunday over various offences connected to the match at Namboole.
Kaweesi said most of those apprehended had been involved in pickpocketing and other petty cases but noted there were no other big incidents during and after the match.
“We didn’t have incidents of attacks on people after the game as has been before .The game ended well without any worrying situation.”
He however said there was a small scuffle at the entrance after police stopped some of the supporters from entering because the stadium was full but said this was later contained.