Assistant Referee Peter Kabugo Pronounced Dead after Collapsing While Officiating SC Villa - UPDF Game

The vibrant world of Ugandan football has been thrown into mourning following the sudden passing of Assistant Referee Kabugo Peter during a Premier League match between SC Villa and UPDF. 

The Incident: A Moment of Shock and Grief

The Uganda Premier League match between SC Villa and UPDF on Friday 1st November 2024, at Muteesa II Stadium Wankulukuku was a tense affair, with the defending champions, SC Villa, dominating the proceedings. As Villa extended their lead to five goals, a palpable sense of excitement filled the stadium.  

The Heartstopping Moment: A Sudden Loss During Play

The 73rd minute of the intense match between SC Villa and UPDF FC will forever be etched in the memory of those present and those who followed the game's unfolding tragedy. SC Villa had just unleashed a breathtaking counterattack, with Hakim Kiwanuka leading the charge, culminating in a decisive fifth goal. As players celebrated exuberantly, a scene of joyous pandemonium, Assistant Referee, Peter Kabugo was seen collapsing on the far side of the pitch. The sudden stillness, the rush of players and officials, the immediate summoning of an ambulance – all painted a grim picture.

The Immediate Response and the Race Against Time

The swift response of the players, officials, and medical staff was crucial. Kabugo was immediately attended to, and the match was briefly suspended. The ambulance crew worked diligently to transport him to the nearby hospital, where medical professionals commenced immediate life-saving efforts.

For the continuity of the game, the fourth official, Joshua Duula, had to step in to replace the Assistant Referee who was being rushed to the hospital. However, the efforts of the medical team, despite their best efforts, could not prevent the tragic outcome.

The Unfolding Tragedy: The Loss of a Life

Tragically, news of Kabugo's sudden death began to circulate towards the end of the match, around the 90th minute. The confirmation of the passing of a young Assistant Referee cast a deep shadow over the entire event. The Referee's Assessor, Rwamuyamba Rosebell Ram, was visibly distraught as she broke the news to her colleagues. The emotional toll on those present was palpable, underscoring the profound impact of such a sudden loss within the sporting community.