Man Collapses in Kampala After Losing Shs2M Bet on Liverpool’s Community Shield Defeat

Kampala – A yet-to-be-identified football fan collapsed at Sekazinga Arcade in Kampala on Sunday after losing Shs2 million in just 90 minutes. Reports indicate the man had staked the money — which belonged to his boss — on Liverpool winning the Community Shield against Crystal Palace.

The highly anticipated match ended in a 2-2 draw in regular time, pushing the game to penalties. Liverpool failed to convert two spot-kicks, and Crystal Palace emerged victorious with a 3-2 win in the shootout. The defeat crushed not only Liverpool fans’ hopes but also the gambler’s risky wager.

Eyewitnesses say the man had earlier been in high spirits, confident that Liverpool would win. However, when the final whistle blew and the penalty loss was confirmed, he collapsed in shock. Sources claim the Shs2 million was part of the day’s sales from his boss’s shop.

This incident adds to a growing list of sports betting tragedies in Uganda. In past years, there have been several cases of bettors taking their own lives or collapsing after massive losses. In 2022, a man in Mbale reportedly committed suicide after losing rent money on a Champions League match, while in another case in Masaka, a boda boda rider sold his motorcycle to place a bet — only to lose everything.

Betting experts and health officials have continuously warned against staking essential funds like rent, tuition, or business capital on gambling. The National Gaming Board has urged the public to treat betting as entertainment rather than a source of income, stressing the need for responsible gambling.

As investigations into the Kampala incident continue, this serves as yet another reminder of the dangers of high-stakes betting, especially when it involves money one cannot afford to lose