David Owori, one of Uganda’s most prominent footballers, was killed in a street attack near his home in Kampala, authorities said, sparking widespread grief and anger over violent crime.
Police said David Owori, 27, was fatally assaulted after he resisted an attempt to steal his phone and other items, a killing that has prompted an outpouring of condolences and renewed public concern about safety in the capital.
The versatile player captained Sports Club Villa, Uganda Premier League record champions, featuring as a right-back and in midfield. He also represented the Cranes, Uganda’s national team.
“We have lost more than a player, we have lost a leader, brother and friend,” SC Villa said in a statement.
Witnesses reported that a group of assailants struck the footballer with paving stones on Tuesday night before robbing him of his belongings and fleeing, leaving him unconscious.
SC Villa spokesperson Asan Kasingye told reporters that Owori was targeted just outside his residence in Makindye, a Kampala suburb.
“The player was ambushed by thugs as he approached his home, leaving him with life-threatening injuries before he was rushed to the medical facility,” Kasingye said.
Owori was first taken to a nearby clinic, then transferred to a private hospital in the city, where he died of his injuries on Wednesday.
Local police spokesperson Rachael Kawala said detectives were following leads to identify the perpetrators.
“The scene of the incident has been documented and processed to ensure that all relevant evidence is collected and preserved,” Kawala said.
Tributes have poured in from the football community, fans, teammates and politicians, all demanding justice for Owori. He was popularly known by the nickname Colgate.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations described him as “a true leader on and off the pitch,” while Uganda Cranes said the team had lost a star who “carried the hopes of a nation.”
Parliament observed a minute of silence on Wednesday and called for swift investigations.
David Owori’s impact on SC Villa and Uganda Cranes
Renowned for his tactical discipline and ability to operate across midfield, Owori returned to SC Villa in 2023 for a second stint, becoming one of the club’s longest-serving players. He helped guide the record champions to their first league title in 20 years, securing a 17th top-flight crown in 2024.
His influence on and off the field earned him a contract extension running until January 2027. He also featured for Uganda during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign and was considered a strong candidate for future national team call-ups.
News of his death has intensified debate on public safety, with Ugandans on social media questioning rising violence in Kampala and urging tougher action against criminal gangs.
The killing follows the recent death of another Ugandan sports figure, rugby international Sydney Gongodyo, who was fatally attacked by a mob in Kampala weeks earlier.
The killing follows the recent death of another Ugandan sports figure, rugby international Sydney Gongodyo, who was fatally attacked by a mob in Kampala weeks earlier.
News of his death has intensified debate on public safety, with Ugandans on social media questioning rising violence in Kampala and urging tougher action against criminal gangs, similar to how authorities respond to violence linked to public unrest in other countries.
Parliament observed a minute of silence on Wednesday and called for swift investigations into his killing, highlighting growing frustration over law enforcement’s ability to curb crime in the capital and protect prominent figures and ordinary citizens alike.