Uganda is in mourning after 27-year-old footballer David Owori, one of the country's most prominent sports figures, died following a brutal attack by suspected robbers near his home in Kampala. Police reported that Owori was fatally beaten after resisting an attempt to steal his mobile phone and other belongings.
Owori captained SC Villa, the record champions of the Uganda Premier League, where he played as a right-back and midfielder. He also represented the national team, the Cranes. The club's statement read: "We have lost more than a player - we have lost a leader, brother and friend."
Witnesses said a group of attackers struck Owori with paving stones on Tuesday night, robbed him, and fled, leaving him unconscious. SC Villa spokesperson Asan Kasingye told journalists that Owori was ambushed just outside his home in the Makindye suburb. "The player was attacked by thugs as he approached his home, leaving him with life-threatening injuries," Kasingye said.
Owori was rushed to a nearby clinic and then transferred to a private facility, but succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. Local police spokesperson Rachael Kawala confirmed that detectives are pursuing leads and that the crime scene has been processed for evidence.
The footballer's death has sent shockwaves across Uganda, with fans, teammates, and politicians demanding justice. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) described Owori as "a true leader on and off the pitch," and the national team said he "carried the hopes" of the nation.
Parliament observed a minute's silence in his honor and called for a swift investigation. Owori, known as "Colgate," returned to SC Villa in 2023 after two years in Europe and helped the team secure their first league title in 20 years in 2024, earning a contract extension until 2027.
His death has triggered anger on social media, with many questioning the level of violent crime in Kampala and demanding tougher action. The killing comes just weeks after rugby international Sydney Gongodyo was also fatally attacked by a mob in the city, highlighting a worrying trend of violence.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk