William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni trade words over Arsenal celebrations in Africa football debate

President William Ruto has responded with humour and diplomatic ease to remarks by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni questioning the enthusiasm of African leaders and citizens for European football clubs, particularly Arsenal, while local teams also compete for attention.

The exchange, which has drawn attention across East Africa and beyond, follows public comments in which Museveni criticised celebrations linked to Arsenal’s recent English Premier League success, urging a stronger focus on domestic football and development issues.

Ruto responds with humour and dual allegiance

Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Nairobi, Ruto revealed that he had heard Museveni was unsettled by the scale of celebrations and had questioned his own support for the English club instead of Kenya’s national side, Harambee Stars.

“I saw President Museveni was a bit unhappy about our behaviour here. But please tell him I am a fan of both. And somebody is telling me they play at different times, and they win differently. So please explain to Mzee about this Arsenal incident. It was just excitement,” the President said.

He added a light-hearted comment about being portrayed in a social media poster suggesting he was considering measures against Arsenal supporters, but quickly dismissed the idea while reaffirming his personal support for the London club.

“I saw somebody send me a poster of me thinking, and the thinking that was going on in my head was, ‘Is there any way of taxing these Arsenal fans?’ But I want to tell that good man, I am also a fan of Arsenal, so we are not going to go that direction,” he said.

Museveni’s stance on football priorities

Museveni had earlier publicly questioned why African leaders would celebrate European clubs, arguing that attention should be directed toward domestic leagues and national development priorities.

“I said, ‘What is Arsenal?’ It is a European football club… and I should go to celebrate? Celebrate for what?”

He further noted that he had long stepped away from active involvement in football, choosing instead to focus on governance and national development priorities.

Football passion across East Africa

Despite the debate, football celebrations linked to Arsenal’s title win spread widely across East Africa, with fans gathering in major Kenyan cities including Nairobi, where public spaces filled with song, dance, and spontaneous street festivities.

Ruto himself joined in congratulatory messages to the club, praising its resilience and consistency while acknowledging the emotional connection many supporters feel toward international football.

“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.

A wider conversation on African priorities

The episode underscores a broader cultural conversation in Africa about balancing global sporting passions with support for local teams, a debate that continues to resonate across the continent.