Ugandan football has been thrown into mourning after SC Villa captain David Owori died following a violent street attack near his home in Kampala, sparking outrage and renewed concerns over rising violent crime in the capital.
Ugandan football captain David Owori has died at the age of 27 after he was beaten during a suspected robbery near his home in Kampala, police said.
Authorities said the SC Villa skipper was attacked on Tuesday night after allegedly resisting an attempt by suspected robbers to steal his mobile phone and other belongings. Witnesses said a group of assailants struck him with paving stones before fleeing the scene, leaving him critically injured.
SC Villa spokesperson Asan Kasingye said Owori was ambushed just outside his home in Makindye as he returned 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.
Owori was first taken to a nearby clinic before being transferred to a private hospital in Kampala, where he died on Wednesday.
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Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala said detectives had launched an investigation and were working to identify those responsible.
“The scene of the incident has been documented and processed to ensure that all relevant evidence is collected and preserved,” she said.
The death has prompted an outpouring of grief across Uganda. SC Villa described Owori as “more than a player,” saying the club had lost “a leader, brother and friend.”
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) paid tribute to the defender, popularly known as “Colgate,” calling him “a true leader on and off the pitch.”
Owori captained Uganda’s most successful football club and helped guide SC Villa to its first league title in two decades in 2024, securing a record 17th top-flight championship. He also represented the national team, the Cranes, during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign and was widely viewed as a key player for future international competitions.
His death has sparked widespread anger on social media, with many Ugandans demanding stronger action against violent crime in Kampala. Parliament also observed a minute’s silence in his honour and called for a swift investigation into the killing.
