Uganda is grieving the loss of a 27-year-old star footballer, who died after an assault by suspected robbers near his home in the capital, Kampala.
According to police, David Owori was killed after he resisted an attempt to snatch his mobile phone and other belongings, prompting widespread mourning and renewed anger over violent crime in the country.
Owori captained Sports Club (SC) Villa — the Uganda Premier League’s record champions — playing both at right-back and in midfield. He also represented the national team, the Cranes.
“We have lost more than a player – we have lost a leader, brother and friend,” SC Villa said in a statement.
Witnesses said several attackers struck the footballer with paving stones on Tuesday night, robbed him of his belongings and fled, leaving him unconscious.
SC Villa spokesperson Asan Kasingye told reporters that Owori was targeted just outside his home in Makindye, a Kampala suburb.
“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.
He was taken to a nearby clinic and later transferred to a private hospital in the city, but he died of his injuries on Wednesday.
Local police spokesperson Rachael Kawala said investigators were following leads to identify those responsible.
“The scene of the incident has been documented and processed to ensure that all relevant evidence is collected and preserved,” Kawala added.
The killing has shocked the country, with the football community — including fans and teammates — and politicians demanding justice.
Messages of condolence continue to pour in for the defender, who was popularly known as Colgate.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) described Owori as “a true leader on and off the pitch”.
“David was not just a footballer. He was both a leader and an inspiration to a generation,” it said in a statement.
The national side, the Cranes, said the team had lost a football star who “carried the hopes” of Uganda.
Parliament observed a minute’s silence on Wednesday in Owori’s honour and called for a swift investigation.
Known for his tactical discipline and versatility across midfield, he returned to SC Villa in 2023 — after two years in Europe — for a second stint. At the time of his death, he was among the current squad’s longest-serving players.
He helped guide the high-profile team to their first league title in 20 years, securing a record 17th top-flight crown in 2024.
His impact on and off the field earned him a contract extension running until January 2027.
Owori also featured for the national team during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and was seen as a strong contender for future Cranes call-ups.
His death has fueled anger on social media, with many Ugandans questioning levels of violent crime in Kampala and urging tougher action against offenders.
The incident comes just weeks after the death of another Ugandan sports star — rugby international Sydney Gongodyo — who was also fatally attacked by a mob in Kampala.