Celebrate What? Museveni dismisses Arsenal title hype, tells Africans to focus on poverty and jobs

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has stirred debate after dismissing calls for him to join celebrations over Arsenal’s English Premier League triumph, saying Africans should focus more on jobs, development and poverty eradication than European football.

Museveni said he was surprised to learn that some people expected him to celebrate Arsenal’s title victory.

“They’re inviting me. Now, the other day, people were telling me that they’re inviting me. One of my people was inviting me to something called Arsenal,” Museveni said.

“I said, ‘What is Arsenal?’ It is a European football club, which I don’t know what they have done, and I should go to celebrate. Celebrate for what?” he posed.

The Ugandan leader said although he once played football himself, he abandoned the sport decades ago to focus on national issues affecting Ugandans.

“I was a footballer myself. Nobody can tell me about football, but I gave up football in 1966. I’m in Uganda. Liberation, poverty, jobs,” he said.

“So please, okay, you can have your Arsenal, you can have those things, but start with the people, please. Start with your own people.”

Museveni further questioned why Africans should become consumed by foreign football culture while many communities continue struggling with economic hardship.

“How can you be celebrating European clubs when your people don’t have developments?” he asked.

His remarks came as Arsenal supporters across East Africa celebrated the North London club’s 2025-26 Premier League triumph, ending years of disappointment and near misses for the English side.

In Kenya, President William Ruto and several leaders across different professions congratulated Arsenal FC and praised the team’s resilience and consistency.

“Our dreams may be deferred, but never extinguished. Congratulations to Arsenal, and thank you for exemplifying resilience and consistency. Let’s do it again soon,” Ruto said.

Scenes of celebration erupted across Nairobi, with jubilant fans gathering in pubs and entertainment spots in the Central Business District, Umoja, Roysambu and Kasarani after Arsenal sealed the title.

Supporters dressed in the club’s red and white colours sang, danced and waved flags late into the night, while others climbed onto vehicles and motorcycles, blowing vuvuzelas as motorists hooted in support.

The celebrations also dominated social media, where fans shared videos, memes and congratulatory messages while praising manager Mikel Arteta for rebuilding Arsenal into champions.

Arsenal’s victory marked the club’s first Premier League title after three consecutive runner-up finishes, including the dramatic 2023-24 campaign when they lost the trophy to Manchester City F.C. by just two points.

Arteta also made history by becoming the first former Premier League player to win the title as Arsenal manager after previously playing for the club between 2011 and 2016.