Passion among local football fans is alive

Although they are just one year into Uganda's top flight football, Onduparaka at the moment boost of the biggest and most passionate fan base in the country.

Whenever they have a fixture especially at the Green Light Stadium in Arua, work comes to a standstill.

When their team made the finals of the Uganda Cup against Vipers ecstatic fans stormed Kampala in droves and filled Nakivubo. Although they lost on the pitch, 2-1, the fans made a statement in showing support to their team.

As Ugandan giants like Express FC and KCCA FC struggle to raise their once formidable fan bases other teams are slowly showing the way.

Vipers and Lweza fans on Tuesday showed similar zeal and energy as they boarded trucks, lorries and several other means of transport to watch their sides' ‘Kajjansi/Wankulukuku derby' at Namboole.

Perched on trucks, they didn't mind the risks as they shouted, blew whistles and Vuvuzelas to and from Namboole.

Before the match ‘juju doctors' from either side could be seen loitering around the pitch and especially near the goal posts as part of a witchcraft ritual to protect the goal and to ‘bring luck' to their sides, as others drummed and danced in the stands.

Such is the passion around these teams' games that an avid football follower should make a date and be there, to not only enjoy the football on the pitch but also get soaked in the fun that was the reason stadia filled in almost every league game in the past.