Ugandan football is in shock following the murder of David Owori, captain of SC Villa and player for the national team. The 27-year-old defender died this Wednesday as a result of the serious injuries he sustained during a violent assault that occurred the night before near his home inMakindye, a suburb of Kampala, the capital of the African country.
According to information released by local authorities and media, Owori was ambushed while returning after training with his team. The assailants reportedly attacked him to steal his cellphone and other belongings and, according to witnesses, they hit him with cobblestones before fleeing. Meanwhile, the police are also investigating whether the footballer resisted the assault.
Asan Kasingye, spokesperson for SC Villa, confirmed the incident to the Daily Monitor. "The player was ambushed by criminals around 8 PM as he approached his home, suffering injuries that endangered his life before being rushed to the medical center," he stated.
Owori was ambushed by thieves while returning home and died shortly after due to the severity of his injuries
Owori was assisted by his friend and former teammate Nicholas Kabonge, who initially transported him while he was still conscious. However, his condition quickly worsened and he died shortly after at the Case Clinic in Kampala.
The investigation is already underway. "We are currently searching for the attackers and investigations have begun. We have not yet been able to determine the exact cause of the attack or what they may have stolen from him. We will provide more details about his death," said Luke Owoyesigyire, deputy spokesperson for the Kampala Metropolitan Police. Authorities also reported that the crime scene was preserved for evidence collection.
The death of the footballer has had a profound impact in Uganda. Parliament held a minute of silence, while SC Villa mourned the loss of one of its greatest figures. "We have lost more than a player: we have lost a leader, a brother, and a friend," expressed the institution, which also confirmed that a mass will be held in his memory on Thursday and that on Friday his remains will be taken to Tororo, his hometown, where the funeral will take place.
For its part, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) highlighted that Owori was "a true leader both on and off the field" and stated that "David was not just a footballer. He was a leader and an inspiration for a generation".
Trained in the Nsambya Young Stars and Wembley Football Academy, Owori made his professional debut with Vipers SC in 2016. After a stint with Proline FC, he joined SC Villa in 2018, where he established himself as one of the team's key figures. Between 2021 and 2022, he played for Vélez CF, a team that at that time played in the Second RFEF Federation (fourth division in Spain), and for Utsiktens BK in what was then the second division of Sweden between 2022 and 2023, before returning to the Ugandan club.
In his second stint, he was a key player in helping SC Villa win its first league title in two decades in 2024 and the 17th championship in its history, a feat that earned him the captaincy and a contract renewal until January 2027. Additionally, he was part of the Uganda national team during the qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and was still being considered for future call-ups.
Owori returned to SC Villa after a stint in Europe and led them to championship victory after two decades of drought
The crime has once again highlighted the growing concern over insecurity in Kampala. The murder of Owori occurred just weeks after the death of international rugby player Sydney Gongodyo, who also died after suffering an assault in the Ugandan capital, a context that has reignited calls for greater security measures and a swift identification of those responsible.
