Outrage as Ugandan football captain murdered in street gang attack
Ugandans are mourning the death of one of the country's best‑known footballers after he was beaten to death by suspected robbers near his home in the capital, Kampala.
The 27‑year‑old, David Owori, capitoned for SC Villa and the Uganda Cranes, was attacked outside his Makindye home when robbers tried to steal his mobile phone and belongings. Witnesses reported that a group struck the player with paving stones before fleeing with his possessions, leaving him unconscious.
The SC Villa spokesperson Asan Kasingye detailed that Owori was ambushed just as he approached his house, sustaining life‑threatening injuries. He was rushed to a local clinic and then transferred to a private facility, but succumbed to his wounds the following day.
Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala insisted that detectives are following leads to identify the attackers. “The scene of the incident has been documented and processed to ensure that all relevant evidence is collected and preserved,” she said.
SC Villa released a statement saying, “We have lost more than a player – we have lost a leader, brother and friend.” The Federation of Uganda Football Associations described Owori as “a true leader on and off the pitch.” The national team expressed sorrow, noting that he “carried the hopes of a nation.”
Parliament observed a minute of silence on the day of his death, urging swift investigation. The incident has intensified calls for tougher action against criminals in Kampala, with social media users voicing outrage over rising violent crime.
Owori had become a club mainstay after rejoining SC Villa in 2023. He helped the team clinch its first league title in 20 years, securing a 17th crown in 2024, and earned a contract extension until January 2027.
His death follows the killing weeks earlier of rugby international Sydney Gongodyo, who was also fatally attacked by a mob in Kampala.
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