Uganda Football In Mourning As National Team Star David Owori Is K!lled In Suspected Robbery

Ugandan football has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of SC Villa captain and Uganda national team player David Owori, who was fatally attacked by suspected robbers near his residence in Kampala.

According to Ireporter Online, the 27-year-old defender was assaulted on Tuesday night after reportedly resisting an attempt by suspected criminals to steal his mobile phone and other personal belongings. The incident has sparked widespread grief across Uganda while reigniting concerns over the growing wave of violent crime in the capital city.

Witnesses said the attackers struck Owori with paving stones before dispossessing him of his valuables and fleeing the scene, leaving him unconscious outside his home in the Makindye area of Kampala.

SC Villa spokesperson Asan Kasingye confirmed that the club captain was attacked only a short distance from his residence before he was rushed to a medical facility with life-threatening injuries.

Owori was first taken to a nearby clinic before being transferred to a private hospital in Kampala, where he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.

Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala confirmed that detectives have commenced investigations into the killing, adding that officers have documented and processed the crime scene to gather and preserve evidence that could lead to the arrest of those responsible.

Tributes have continued to pour in for the late footballer, popularly known as “Colgate,” from across the Ugandan football community and beyond. SC Villa described his passing as the loss of not only a player but also a leader, brother and friend.

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations also honoured Owori, describing him as a remarkable leader on and off the pitch whose influence inspired many young footballers. The Uganda national team, the Cranes, equally paid tribute, saying the country had lost a player who proudly carried the hopes of the nation.

Members of Uganda’s Parliament observed a minute of silence in his memory on Wednesday and called for a swift and thorough investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

Owori rejoined SC Villa in 2023 after a second stint in Spain and established himself as one of the club’s longest-serving players. He played a crucial role in helping the club secure its first Uganda Premier League title in two decades in 2024, delivering the record champions’ 17th league crown.

His leadership qualities earned him a contract extension until January 2027, while his impressive performances during Uganda’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign strengthened his place in the national team.

His death comes just weeks after Ugandan rugby international Sydney Gongodyo also lost his life in a separate violent attack in Kampala, further deepening concerns over public safety in the city.