Patrick Viera Lounges In Uganda

As the world cup kicks off in Japan and South Korea, the defending champions, France, are in big trouble as one of their star midfielder, Patrick Viera has decided to quit the camp and come to Uganda. The celebrated footballer is now enjoying the tranquillity of the pearl of Africa.Viera, who also plays for English Premiership and FA Cup champions, Arsenal, is now relaxing as he signs autographs for enthusiastic fans. But the midfield general is not staying at the luxurious Sheraton Hotel, but in Nsibirwa Hall at Makerere University. Hundreds of his admirers throng the former North Cote State to take a glimpse of him.But the French man is not going back to France soon. In fact, the University has already enrolled him for sheer prestige. Viera is now pursuing a BSC (Veterinary Medicine). In a rare and unique turn of events, the university has told him to start his studies in fourth year. Yeah, that is the reward of making yourself a name.Now, you must be wondering as to why such a great footballer has decided to abandon his country at a time when they needed him most and take refugee in the third world. And, above all, trading those cool dollars for a degree in Veterinary Medicine!Well folks, I apologise for taking you for a ride, but I am not talking about the Senegal-born Patrick Viera you all know. I am talking about a 23-year-old fellow who has been stopped on the way, asked to sign autographs and put at task to answer questions he does not know about. His biggest crime?-Resembling the real Patrick Viera.Samuel Sewagudde is his name. Even some of his friends doubt whether his not related to the Arsenal assistant skipper. “It all started in 1999. Some of my friends started telling me that I looked like Viera. I didn’t even know the person and I was never interested in football,” the Vet student says. “I didn’t even take them seriously until my uncle told me the same thing. I fell in love with Arsenal instantly and later, the player himself.” Samuel’s room in Nsibirwa has since ceased to be his as far as privacy is concerned. Many people go there to see him, and confirm what they have been told. Samuel hopes that one day he will meet the person, people mistake him for.“At first, I never liked the whole idea. Today, I have no problem with it. In fact, I like it a lot because even if I don’t, somebody will always shout ‘Viera’ whenever I pass,” he reveals.Patrick Viera has always put Arsenal at ransom. The player has not yet made it clear whether he will play for the gunners next season or not. All this has been put to Samuel. “When are you leaving us? Will you be with us next season?” Those are some of the questions he has been asked by fans. Sewagudde says that his resemblance to the Frenchman has made him more friends. “Your coming here for this interview means that I am now famous. It feels nice resembling him,” he boasts. However, Samuel is not going to be influenced to the soccer pitch again. “I last played football while in Mwiri College and then in Kibuli SSS. I only played inter-hall games. I am not good at football,” he reveals as he puts on an arsenal jacket.“My parents, Nelson and May Lutalo of Gayaza have always been Arsenal fans. Now the whole family supports the team because of my resemblance to the midfielder,” he reveals. “The only problem is, when Arsenal lose a match, everybody reminds him of the loss. It becomes a bad day for him,”says Allan Sserulika, Samuel’s young brother, a second year law student at Makerere. Yosam Nsubuga, Samuel’s roommate says, “He is the most popular guy here. People are even forgetting his real name. They just call him Viera and he is normally disturbed by people, who can’t believe that he is not the footballer,” he adds. Alex Bagada, Samuel’s close friend says, “I have also made more friends out of Sam’s resemblance to Viera. ” The Arsenal souvenirs Samuel has collected so far mean that Viera’s replica will never stop supporting the English outfit. “I will always support Patrick wherever he goes but Arsenal will remain my team,” he says. Ends