David Owori, a prominent Ugandan footballer, died in hospital after being attacked during a robbery in Kampala on Tuesday night. He was 27.
Attack and death
Owori, who captained SC Villa and played for the national team, was assaulted when he tried to stop thieves from taking his phone. Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala said he was found unconscious by passersby and taken to a nearby hospital, then transferred, where he was pronounced dead.
Witnesses reported that attackers hit him with paving stones before robbing him and fleeing, leaving him unconscious, according to the BBC.
Career and impact
Owori was a right-back and midfielder for SC Villa, helping the team win a record 17th Uganda Premier League title in 2024. He began his senior career in 2016 with Vipers Sports Club and played in Europe for Vélez CF in Spain and Utsiktens BK in Sweden. He also featured for the national team in qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
SC Villa expressed profound sorrow, saying Owori had been receiving treatment at Case Clinic after an attack by suspected thugs. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations described him as 'both a leader and an inspiration to a generation', adding, 'We have lost a son, a leader and a star.'
National mourning
The Ugandan parliament observed a minute of silence in his honour on Wednesday. This tragedy follows the death of rugby international Sydney Gongodyo, who was killed by a mob in Kampala in June. The National Council of Sports noted that Ugandan sport has been hit by many such tragedies lately, hoping for justice and a lasting solution.
