 |
| Official poster of #TugendeKampala2020 |
 |
| The flag of the Republic of Uganda |
The grey crane at the center of the flag represents Uganda's national animal.
ATTENDANCE IN NUMBERS
 |
| Arsenal fans in Kigali Rwanda during the second edition |
In the Easter weekend of April 2020, Arsenal fans from across the continent will come together and paint Kampala City red as they gather in yet another fans festival dubbed Arsenal Africa Fans Festival (AAFF), also famously hash tagged as #TugendeKampala2020.
Nigeria Arsenal Fans Club had been the latest entrant to confirm their attendance according to a Facebook post from their chairman Emeka Onyenuforo. However, due to unavoidable logistical issues Mr. Emeka later intimated that unfortunately, there will be no representation from Arsenal Nigeria in the 4th edition of AAFF, but he gave an assurance of future participation in the coming editions.
 |
| Musandisiye from Arsenal Zimbabwe |
Ghana therefore, will be the only country from West Africa to have a representation. A member of Arsenal Supporters Club Ghana estimated about five of their members will be in attendance.
Other visiting fans include Arsenal Zimbabwe that has confirmed five of their members will be present and Arsenal Zambia has an estimated number of nine members.
Arsenal Supporters Club Tanzania through its representative, gave a figure of about 20 members, while Arsenal Kenya a country known to have huge turn outs expect a total of about 100 of its members to attend.
Other visiting fans include Arsenal Zimbabwe that has confirmed five of their members will be present and Arsenal Zambia has an estimated number of nine members.
Arsenal Supporters Club Tanzania through its representative, gave a figure of about 20 members, while Arsenal Kenya a country known to have huge turn outs expect a total of about 100 of its members to attend.
 |
| Members of Arsenal fans from Tanzania in Kigali Rwanda |
Arsenal Supporters Club Uganda is the host nation and it is expected that over 50 of its fans will grace the occasion. Burundi is yet to confirm how many of its members will be present.
It is worth noting that Rwanda Arsenal Fans may not have its representation in the fourth edition of the AAFF due to collision of dates at the time when they will be having the 26th Kwibuka, an annual Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi.
The Charity
The #TugendeKampala2020 charity has been scheduled for Saturday April 10, 2020 at Muslim Girls Day and Boarding Primary School, a KCCA primary school in Busega. The school was founded in 1954 and is situated at about 100 meters from the Samona Products Factory along Masaka Road and about 15km from Nob View Ntinda hotel in Kampala, the host hotel for the #TugendeKampala2020.
Muslim Girls Day and Boarding Primary School has a student population of 367, with 180 boys and 187 girls, and since it is a public school, it is open for all children including those abled differently. The children are from Primary 1 (P1) to Primary 7 (P7), with some of the students being boarders at the facility while the rest are day scholars. The school is under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) where government contributes about $2 per head bi-annualy.
It goes without saying that the backbone and the epicenter of Arsenal Africa Fans Festival since its inception has been giving back to the community through charitable activities. Back in 2017, when the first edition of the festival was unveiled in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania the entourage visited Watoto Wetu Tanzania, an orphanage cum non-governmental organization founded in 1998.
Presently, leaky roofs, holed floors, lack of furniture, no ramps for wheelchairs and lack of desks are some of the hurdles that students at the Muslim Girls Primary School face. All these factors make learning environment constrained and pupils are not able to fully concentrate in their studies.
In order to continue the support of the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) of Universal Primary Education, Arsenal fans and the public alike, are urged to support this well thought initiative that will go a long way in helping these children realize their dreams. Donations and proceeds from everyone will go into building the floors, ramps and roofing the classrooms. Arsenal fans will also be privileged to share a meal and a drink with these amazing kids.
In a pleasant surprise of #TugendeKampala2020 charitable activities, there shall also be a blood donation medical camp set up next to the primary school for Arsenal fans of good will to donate blood.
According to Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), Uganda’s healthcare system uses about 1,500 units of blood daily but on average, only 1,250 units are collected every day, showing a daily deficit of about 17%.
A blood donation activity by Arsenal fans will tremendously help reduce the deficit. A fact about donating blood is that every single donation saves up to 3 lives, and when one donates blood it reduces risks of cancer and obesity while improving cardiovascular health. Are you a regular blood donor? If no, support the healthy cause and make your blood count!
The dress code for the charity is the Arsenal official red jersey, the home kit. However, on this same day Arsenal will be having an away match to Wolveshampton at Molineux Stadium, and therefore fans are encouraged to dorn their away jerseys for this match as is the club culture and norm.
Transport to and from the charity venue will be provided courtesy of Arsenal Supporters Club Uganda and participating gooners are informed that pickup will be as from 9:00 GMT+3.
This article is dedicated to Nikita Waligwa aka Gloria of Queen of Katwe who lost her life to brain cancer.
It is worth noting that Rwanda Arsenal Fans may not have its representation in the fourth edition of the AAFF due to collision of dates at the time when they will be having the 26th Kwibuka, an annual Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi.
The Charity
 |
| Muslim Girls Day and Boarding Primary School, Busega |
Muslim Girls Day and Boarding Primary School has a student population of 367, with 180 boys and 187 girls, and since it is a public school, it is open for all children including those abled differently. The children are from Primary 1 (P1) to Primary 7 (P7), with some of the students being boarders at the facility while the rest are day scholars. The school is under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) where government contributes about $2 per head bi-annualy.
 |
| Arsenal fans at Watoto Wetu Tanzania, Dar Es Salaam |
During the 2018 second edition in Kigali, Rwanda the contingent of Arsenal fans in partnership with the local government visited two victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and made monetary donations, bought roofing materials and took part in fixing the roofings of the almost completed semi-permanent houses being built.
In Mombasa Kenya, during the third edition of the fans festivals, Arsenal fans visited a mission school in Utange called St. Barnabas Mission School. It was started in 2010. It shall be noted that in most of these charities Arsenal fans gave out monetary support, clothing and foodstuffs. Part of the activities usually involve cooking, cleaning, laundry, bonding and mentorship.
 |
| Arsenal fans at a charity during the 3rd edition of AAFF |
Presently, leaky roofs, holed floors, lack of furniture, no ramps for wheelchairs and lack of desks are some of the hurdles that students at the Muslim Girls Primary School face. All these factors make learning environment constrained and pupils are not able to fully concentrate in their studies.
In order to continue the support of the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) of Universal Primary Education, Arsenal fans and the public alike, are urged to support this well thought initiative that will go a long way in helping these children realize their dreams. Donations and proceeds from everyone will go into building the floors, ramps and roofing the classrooms. Arsenal fans will also be privileged to share a meal and a drink with these amazing kids.
Medical Camp: Blood Donation
According to Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), Uganda’s healthcare system uses about 1,500 units of blood daily but on average, only 1,250 units are collected every day, showing a daily deficit of about 17%.
A blood donation activity by Arsenal fans will tremendously help reduce the deficit. A fact about donating blood is that every single donation saves up to 3 lives, and when one donates blood it reduces risks of cancer and obesity while improving cardiovascular health. Are you a regular blood donor? If no, support the healthy cause and make your blood count!
The dress code for the charity is the Arsenal official red jersey, the home kit. However, on this same day Arsenal will be having an away match to Wolveshampton at Molineux Stadium, and therefore fans are encouraged to dorn their away jerseys for this match as is the club culture and norm.
Transport to and from the charity venue will be provided courtesy of Arsenal Supporters Club Uganda and participating gooners are informed that pickup will be as from 9:00 GMT+3.
This article is dedicated to Nikita Waligwa aka Gloria of Queen of Katwe who lost her life to brain cancer.
 |
| The late Nikita Waligwa |
Follow on Twitter:
Official hashtag for the event:
#TugendeKampala2020
Your girl, yours truly,
Lisa Biwott M.
With utmost regards and sincere appreciation to:
Mr. Jacob Katumba (Arsenal Uganda)
Ms. Ninaz Cheri (Arsenal Uganda)
Dr. Hannington Mwesigye (Arsenal Uganda)
Mr. Matinya Lusungu (Arsenal Tanzania)
Mr. Peter Mboye (Arsenal Tanzania)
Mr. Emeka Onyenuforo (Arsenal Nigeria)
Ms. Barikisu Mohamed (Arsenal Ghana)
Mr. Simbarashe Musandisiye (Arsenal Zimbabwe)
Mr. William Kamanzi (Arsenal Rwanda)
Mr. Meddie Kayima (Arsenal Uganda)
Mr. Stephen Ndung'u (Arsenal Kenya)
Ms. Leyla (Arsenal Burundi)
Mr. Michael Mniko
Arsenal Uganda Supporters Club,
Executive Committee, Gooners Uganda
Your girl, yours truly,
Lisa Biwott M.
With utmost regards and sincere appreciation to:
Mr. Jacob Katumba (Arsenal Uganda)
Ms. Ninaz Cheri (Arsenal Uganda)
Dr. Hannington Mwesigye (Arsenal Uganda)
Mr. Matinya Lusungu (Arsenal Tanzania)
Mr. Peter Mboye (Arsenal Tanzania)
Mr. Emeka Onyenuforo (Arsenal Nigeria)
Ms. Barikisu Mohamed (Arsenal Ghana)
Mr. Simbarashe Musandisiye (Arsenal Zimbabwe)
Mr. William Kamanzi (Arsenal Rwanda)
Mr. Meddie Kayima (Arsenal Uganda)
Mr. Stephen Ndung'u (Arsenal Kenya)
Ms. Leyla (Arsenal Burundi)
Mr. Michael Mniko
Arsenal Uganda Supporters Club,
Executive Committee, Gooners Uganda
The writer of this article is a lifetime goonerette, who attended all the first three editions of the Arsenal Africa Fans Festival in Dar es Salaam, Kigali and Mombasa.
