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Uganda captain and SC Villa skipper David Owori has died after a violent attack by suspected robbers in Kampala.
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The 27-year-old reportedly resisted an attempted robbery before suffering fatal injuries from the assault.
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Tributes have poured in from SC Villa, Uganda’s football federation, teammates and government officials as police intensify investigations.
August 06, (THEWILL) — Ugandan football has been thrown into mourning following the death of national team player and SC Villa captain, David Owori, who died after being attacked by suspected robbers near his home in Kampala.
The 27-year-old was reportedly assaulted on Tuesday night after resisting an attempt by a group of attackers to steal his mobile phone and other personal belongings. He sustained severe injuries during the attack and later died in hospital on Wednesday despite efforts by medical personnel to save his life.
According to police, Owori was ambushed just outside his residence in Makindye, a suburb of Uganda’s capital. Witnesses said the attackers struck him repeatedly with paving stones before robbing him and fleeing the scene, leaving him unconscious.
SC Villa spokesperson Asan Kasingye confirmed the incident, describing it as a tragic loss for both the club and Ugandan football.
“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 initially treated at a nearby clinic before being transferred to a private hospital in Kampala, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Uganda Police confirmed that investigations have commenced to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack. Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala said detectives had secured and processed the crime scene while collecting evidence to aid the investigation.
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“The scene of the incident has been documented and processed to ensure that all relevant evidence is collected and preserved”, she said.
Owori was one of Uganda’s most respected footballers, serving as captain of record Uganda Premier League champions SC Villa while also representing the national team, the Cranes. Comfortable as both a right-back and midfielder, he was widely admired for his leadership, versatility and commitment on the pitch.
He returned to SC Villa in 2023 after spending two years playing in Europe and played a key role in helping the club win its first Uganda Premier League title in two decades in 2024, securing a record-extending 17th league championship. His performances earned him a contract extension that was due to run until January 2027.
Owori also featured prominently for Uganda during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign and remained in contention for future national team call-ups.
Tributes quickly flooded in from across the football community.
SC Villa described him as “more than a player,” saying the club had lost “a leader, brother and friend.”
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) hailed Owori as “a true leader on and off the pitch”, while Uganda’s national team said he was a player who proudly carried the hopes of the country whenever he wore the Cranes jersey.
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Uganda’s Parliament also observed a minute’s silence in his honour and called for a swift investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Owori’s death has reignited concerns over violent crime in Kampala, with many citizens demanding stronger security measures to curb attacks by criminal gangs.
His killing comes just weeks after Ugandan rugby international Sydney Gongodyo was also fatally attacked in the capital, further deepening concerns over the safety of athletes and residents in the city.
