By Ben Immanuel Misagga
Africa, Don’t Let Them Lock Us Out of the World Cup Finals
Uganda. Rwanda. Zambia. Angola. Congo-Brazzaville. We’re all neighbors to the DRC. We share borders, trade, culture, and family.
But suddenly, when it’s time for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, USA, and Mexico, our passports become a problem. Our visas get denied.
The reason they give us? Ebola. Let’s be clear: Uganda does not have an Ebola outbreak that justifies locking millions of Africans out of the World Cup.
We have fought Ebola before, and we have won. Under President Museveni, Uganda has faced Ebola, HIV, COVID-19, and we’ve tamed them all.
We know how to contain disease. We know how to protect our people and our visitors.
So why now? Why this tournament? The timing is too convenient. The scare is plastered across headlines right as fans start applying, paying visa fees, and planning to travel.
Fans from Rwanda, Zambia, Angola, and Congo-Brazzaville face the same wall. Countries that live next door to the DRC every single day are suddenly “too risky” to enter North America.
And let’s say it plainly: it looks like the Arsenal celebration in Uganda scared the host nations.
They saw our passion, our numbers, our unity, and suddenly they’re nervous about bringing Ugandan fans into their stadiums.
That’s not public health. That’s fear of Africa showing up too strong.
It’s very unfair. It’s unhealthy. You can’t take millions of applicants’ visa money, then turn around and sing a dull song of Ebola to justify locking us out.
That’s not safety. That’s a scam dressed up as caution, designed to deprive Africa of its rightful place in the stands.
FIFA and CAF, this shows your choice of these high-end countries to host this tournament was a wonderful mistake. You’ve proven yourselves powerless against the scam press and international media. You’ve accepted dancing to the colonial tune of scaring the world and continuing to suffocate the spirit of the World Cup.
The tournament was supposed to unite us. Instead, you’ve let fear and old narratives decide who gets to walk through the gates.
I’ve watched European Cup finals twice — Germany 1988, France 2016. I’ve watched FIFA World Cup finals since 2010 in South Africa. Now it feels like the hangman is putting a rope around my neck.
If you’re serious about health, why don’t you copy a leaf from the Russia 2018 World Cup?
You have real-time equipment that can determine and detect Ebola right at Entebbe Airport and all exit airports. That’s what’s needed.
Screen us, test us, clear us. Don’t deny Africa a lifetime event based on headlines and fear.
With all the billions of dollars FIFA controls, if you are not part of this scam, prove it to the world.
Put Ebola testing equipment at every exit airport. Show us you care about fairness, not just profit.
If you don’t, then you’re just the leopard telling its cubs that they smell like goats — blaming Africa for a problem you created.
Wake up, Africa. Wake up, CAF.
This is bigger than football. It’s about respect. It’s about whether Africa gets to show up when the world comes together.
If we stay silent, they will do it again. Next tournament, next excuse, next generation of African fans locked out.
We need to protest. We need CAF to stand up and demand answers.
We need African governments to push back against blanket denials that punish entire nations for a threat that isn’t even here.
Our fans deserve the same chance to cheer, cry, and celebrate in the stadium as any other continent.
The World Cup belongs to the world. Not just to the countries hosting it. Not just to those who can afford to be seen as “safe” enough.
Africa, we’ve been patient too long. If they won’t open the doors, we make noise until they do.
MMJ Immanuel Ben Misagga
Emeritus President, Sports Club Villa and Nyamityobora Football Club
