The wait is finally over for Ugandan ‘Gooners.’ The high-profile delegation from the world-renowned Arsenal Fan TV (AFTV) has officially touched down in Kampala, marking the start of a six-day football extravaganza that promises to bridge the gap between London’s Emirates Stadium and the Ugandan football faithful.
Robbie Lyle, the face and founder of the global media brand, is in the country alongside fan favorites Cecil Jee Thomas and Lee Judges. Their arrival has set the tone for what is being billed as a landmark visit for the local Premier League fan community.
A Packed Itinerary
The AFTV crew, who are in the country from April 24th to April 30th, are wasting no time. The highlight of their visit kicks off today, April 25th, with a high-stakes watch party as Arsenal faces Newcastle United in a fixture that carries immense weight for the Gunners' title ambitions. There will be a watch party later in the evening as Arsenal plays New Castle United.
Beyond the noise of the match day, the visit is structured to deliver value to the local sports industry:
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Digital Masterclasses: The crew will share their expertise in digital content creation and monetization, aiming to empower Ugandan youth and local creators.
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Community Engagement: Interactive sessions will allow fans to get up close and personal with the voices that have defined the modern Arsenal fan experience.
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Showcasing the Pearl of Africa: The delegation will trade the pitch for the plains, taking time to tour some of Uganda’s top tourist attractions, ensuring that the country’s beauty is showcased to their millions of global viewers.
The ‘Gooner’ Takeover
Addressing the media at Kati-Kati Restaurant on Friday morning, special presidential assistant Babirye Nana Nabirye rallied the Arsenal fans to welcome the crew.
Flanked by the senior presidential advisor in charge of special duties David Mafabi, Nabirye assured the fans of a smooth program that will span over to next week’s CAF Champions League’s duel against Athletic Madrid.
“The preparations to accord the AFTV crew tour a decent arrival in Uganda and a successful Ekivulu Kya Arsenal are underway. We thank the Government of Uganda for the effort to finance this endeavour. We call upon the fans to turn up in big numbers” Nabirye remarked.
Kampala Metropolitan PRO SP Rachael Kawala assured the fans of maximum security to the fans and the visiting crew.
“We shall deploy before, during and after the Ekivulu Kya Arsenal festival to ensure that there is maximum security for all the people. There will be efficient deployments in the different areas and efficient traffic control. Avoid engaging in ticket frauds” SP Kawaala remarked.
Robbie Lyle is joined by colleagues Bret Lotriet Best (CEO of Global Fan Network), Cecil Jee Thomas and 9 other support members of the crew.
The AFTV is arguably the largest football fan network in the world, with an estimated 150M monthly views.
Meanwhile, the visit of the AFTV crew will be spiced up by a subsequent tour of Arsenal Legends as Nwankwo Kanu, William Gallas, Ray Parlour, Lauren Mayer, Tony Adams and others who are expected in May 2026.
The legends are expected to help establish a state of art sports center of excellence in Uganda.
