Uganda’s sports community is grieving the loss of David Owori, a prominent footballer who died following a violent robbery in Kampala on Tuesday evening. Owori, who served as captain of Sports Club Villa in the Uganda Premier League and represented his country’s national team, sustained fatal injuries while defending himself against attackers attempting to steal his possessions near his residence in the Makindye division.
According to police authorities and eyewitness accounts, assailants struck Owori repeatedly with paving stones before fleeing the scene. Bystanders discovered him unconscious and transported him to a medical facility, where he was subsequently transferred to another hospital for treatment. He was pronounced dead on Wednesday. The 27-year-old athlete had established himself as a skilled right-back and midfielder, helping SC Villa secure the Uganda Premier League title in 2024 and gaining international recognition through appearances in continental qualifying matches.
Tributes have poured in from across the sporting world. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations hailed Owori as “both a leader and an inspiration to a generation,” while his club expressed deep sorrow at losing their captain. Parliament observed a moment of silence in his honor, underscoring his prominence in the nation. The incident highlights growing security concerns in the capital, following a similar attack on rugby player Sydney Gongodyo in June, prompting national sports officials to call for enhanced protective measures and judicial intervention.
Originally reported by Theguardian →
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