Uganda mourns national football icon David Owori after lethal gang assault
The 27‑year‑old captain of SC Villa, Uganda’s premier‑league club, was brutally beaten and robbed outside his home in Maindye, Kampala on Tuesday night.
Police say the assault began when suspected robbers attacked the defender with paving stones after he resisted an attempt to steal his phone and other belongings. The violent encounter left him unconscious and later taken to a private clinic, where he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.
SC Villa released a statement mourning the loss of “a leader, brother and friend,” highlighting his role as the team’s right‑back and midfield anchor and his return to the club in 2023 after a stint in Europe.
A spokesperson for the club confirmed that the attack occurred just outside Owori’s home in the Kampala suburb of Makindye and that the stadium’s security footage has been documented for evidence.
The Uganda Football Association described the player as “a true leader on and off the pitch,” while the national team said the death of a “football star who carried the hopes” of Uganda has left the squad in shock.
Parliament observed a minute’s silence in his honour and called for a swift investigation, with police spokesperson Rachael Kawala saying detectives are pursuing leads to identify the assailants.
Social media erupted in anger, with many Ugandans questioning the level of violent crime in Kampala and demanding tougher action against criminals. The tragedy follows the recent fatal assault on rugby international Sydney Gongodyo, underscoring a growing safety crisis for athletes in the capital.
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