Regional bragging rights were the ultimate prize as Kenya 'invaded' Kampala during last weekend's epic football tie pitting Kenya’s Harambee Stars and Uganda Cranes, writes CHARLES OTIENO

The electrifying chanting from both set of fans — in a sea of yellow and black rooting for Uganda Cranes and red and white for Kenya’s Harambee Stars — reached palpable crescendo as the ball rolled out for a throw in.

Revellers enjoy themselves at Kabalagala. [Photo/Standard]

The centre referee looked at his wristwatch and put the whistle to his mouth, as a Kenyan player sauntered towards the ball — obviously not in a hurry to take the throw in — visibly angering the Ugandan fans.

On the large screen, the words: ‘We Go Uganda Cranes We Go, The Wait Is Over’, illuminated one end of Nelson Mandela Stadium, Namboole, which was packed to the rafters. Outside the stadium, music blared as a large crowd milled among cars chock-a-block.

As time tickled on, Ugandan cheering came to an abrupt stop as sweat, anxiety and tension crept in. Not even some light showers would cool the temperatures inside the stadium.

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It was do-or-die match and the fans hoped for a miracle that never was. With seconds to spare Kenya’s goalkeeper Arnold Origi blocked a last gasp close range shot from one of Uganda’s wave of attacks. The dream was over.

Reality check

The fans stood up around the stadium holding their heads in disbelief as Ugandan players slumped to the ground.

Once again, after coming close to qualifying for the prestigious African Cup of Nations for only the second time in their history, Kenya had just denied them a win.

Harambee Stars’ players hugged each other in a rare celebration as the huge screen relaying messages beaming Cranes’ 30 year long wait was replaced with congratulatory messages.

After eating a humble pie, Uganda fans stood rooted to the ground with tears rolling down their cheeks as reality sunk in. Kenya had spoiled the broth in their quest for Africa’s premier soccer fiesta.

For almost five minutes, none of the over 40,000 Ugandan fans moved. The silence was deafening as hundreds of the military and police in combat gear — armed to the teeth — cordoned off the pitch.

"How can these Kenyans deny us a chance to represent East Africa in the elite competition. This is ridiculous," said Ugandan fan Amon Lukwaggo.

"We blame David Obua for deserting the camp at the hour of need just like his father Dennis Obua did in 1978," said an elderly man who refused to disclose his name.

He was criticising Scotland-based Ugandan foremost lethal striker who was denied a chance by Federation of Uganda Football Association (Fufa) to ask President Yoweri Museveni a question when the team was informed that the President was to meet them.

Obua then stormed off in a huff and was subsequently fired from the team. Some fans even displayed a banner claiming that Obua was a Kenyan following the fiasco.

One by one they finally found their strength and left the stadium, dejected, and disappeared into the darkness.

Travelling troupe

But the travelling Kenyan fans found their vocals, cheering the man of the match, goalkeeper Arnold Origi, for denying Ugandans a slot and more so the bragging rights in fiercely contested game.

As the Ugandan terraces emptied, Kenyan players helped the Ugandans players back on their feet, consoling them. Kenyan fans then threw caution to the wind and sang in unison that Migingo Island is in Kenya.

The Kenyan fans that included politicians, celebrities and socialites, were in high spirits as the Kenyan players threw them their jerseys to appreciate their support.

Kenyans supported their team as a Radio Maisha-sponsored band, branded with colours and logo of the station entertained the crowd.

On the eve of the big clash, Kenyan fans had arrived in Kampala in droves. Some arrived in convoy of buses, personal whips, vans, commercial flights and even choppers. The seven hills of Kampala reverberated with sounds and sights as excitement and a carnival mood swept the city.

The locals and Kenyans bantered in various bars as drumbeats and vuvulezas kept blazing throughout the night. Kenyan flags were displayed on many bar counters as Kenyans demanded their favourite music and beer. The only Uganda thing they wanted was… ahem, nyabos. Ugandans, too, responded by hanging their flags in nearly all entertainment spots.

Together with Hooters mafans — Babu Orora, Washington aka Oshea, Noah Muga, Abdul and lawyer Cliff Ombetta — the Pulse crew drove into the city after dusk. We joined Fidel Odinga and Ketta Onyango at Serena Hotel.

As it clocked midnight, we decided to sample the city’s top spots and headed to Garden Square for few drinks before moving to Ange Noir Mystique. Here Kenyans partied hard as Ugandan girls dressed in sexy outfits preyed on them.

Kampala’s Kabalagala

Although Ange Noir is classy and attracted high profile clients from both Kenya and Uganda, the place to be for dancing the night away was definitely VIP Silk Lounge. As usual, Uganda’s showbiz big boys Bebe Cool and Bobi Wine partied in the high street.

The self-proclaimed Ghetto President Bobi Wine, having taken one too many could not reverse his fuel guzzler out of the parking bay and he knocked several barriers in the process. Undeterred he knocked a few more and finally left the party.

In the club, we hooked up with more Kenyans among them Big Ted, Nonini, Arthur K, legendary DJ Pinye, DJ Brayo, Gidigidi, Jerry Essien, Wahome Murigu and nearly all Gor Mahia divas. It seemed like Nairobi had just relocated to Kampala.

Only that Kenyan dudes were clearly interested in chatting up the humble nyabos and mukwanos from this city where it is hard to differentiate between a watchman, army personnel or police officer since they all carry guns.

As the night progressed, it was time to visit Kampala’s beer capital in Kabalagala. Here, hundreds of visiting Kenyans not accustomed to sipping beers using straws partied hard while trying out the trend. They painted the ‘sin city’ of Kampala red. Listening to Juma Nature’s hit, Hakuna Kulala, the party went on until daybreak.