Uganda is mourning football captain David Owori, who has died aged 27 after being beaten by suspected robbers near his home in Kampala.
Owori was attacked on Tuesday night in Makindye, a suburb of the capital, after reportedly resisting an attempt to steal his mobile phone and other belongings. Witnesses said a group of attackers struck him with paving stones before taking his possessions and fleeing, leaving him unconscious.
He was taken to a nearby medical clinic and later transferred to a private medical facility in Kampala, but died from his injuries on Wednesday.
Owori captained Sports Club (SC) Villa, Uganda Premier League record champions, and played as both a right-back and midfielder. He also represented Uganda’s national team, the Cranes.
“We have lost more than a player – we have lost a leader, brother and friend,” SC Villa said in a statement.
SC Villa spokesperson Asan Kasingye said Owori had been targeted as he approached his home.
“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.
Police said an investigation was under way, with detectives working to identify those responsible for the attack.
“The scene of the incident has been documented and processed to ensure that all relevant evidence is collected and preserved,” local police spokesperson Rachael Kawala said.
Owori’s death has prompted widespread grief and anger across Uganda. Fans, team-mates, fellow members of the football community and politicians have called for justice, while social media users have questioned the level of violent crime in Kampala and demanded stronger action against criminals.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) described Owori as “a true leader on and off the pitch”.
“David was not just a footballer. He was both a leader and an inspiration to a generation,” it said in a statement.
The Cranes said they had lost a football star who “carried the hopes” of Uganda. Parliament observed a minute’s silence in Owori’s honour on Wednesday and called for a swift investigation.
Known widely by the nickname Colgate, Owori returned to SC Villa in 2023 after spending two years in Spain during a second spell abroad. He became one of the club’s longest-serving players and was recognised for his tactical discipline and versatility across midfield.
He helped SC Villa win their first league title in 20 years in 2024, securing the club’s record 17th top-flight crown. His importance to the team on and off the pitch was reflected in a contract extension that kept him at the club until January 2027.
Owori also played for Uganda during the qualifying campaign for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. He was regarded as a strong contender for future selection by the Cranes.
His killing comes only weeks after the death of another Ugandan sports star, rugby international Sydney Gongodyo, who was also fatally attacked by a mob in Kampala.
