Uganda’s football community is in mourning after the death of a player who was severely injured in a robbery in the capital, Kampala, on Tuesday evening. David Owori, captain of Sports Club Villa (SC Villa) in the Uganda Premier League and a member of the national team, was attacked after resisting attempts to steal his mobile phone and personal belongings.
Kampala regional police spokesperson Racheal Kawala said Owori was found unconscious by passersby and taken to a nearby hospital. He was later transferred to another facility, where he was confirmed dead. According to witnesses, the group of robbers struck the player with rocks before stealing his property and fleeing, leaving him unconscious.
Owori, 27, played as a right-back and midfielder for SC Villa. He was instrumental in helping the club win its 17th Uganda Premier League title in 2024. His career began in 2016 at Vipers Sports Club, and he later played in Europe for Vélez CF in Spain and Utsiktens BK in Sweden. He also represented the national team in qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
In an official statement, SC Villa said: “We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of captain Owori, who was receiving treatment at Case Clinic following an attack by suspected thugs. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to his family.” The Uganda Football Federation also expressed its grief: “David was not just a footballer. He was a leader and an inspiration to a generation. As SC Villa captain, he led with courage, humility, and passion. Wearing the national jersey, he carried the hopes of the entire nation.”
Uganda’s parliament observed a minute of silence in memory of Owori on Wednesday. Earlier, in June, Ugandan rugby player Sydney Gongodyo also died after being attacked by a mob in Kampala that mistook him for a thief. The National Council of Sports said: “It is heartbreaking that Ugandan sport has faced so many tragedies recently; we hope justice will be served and lasting solutions found.”
