Uganda’s football community is in mourning following the tragic death of SC Villa captain David Owori, who died at the age of 27 after suffering fatal injuries during a suspected robbery attack near his home in Kampala.
Police said Owori was assaulted on Tuesday night after reportedly resisting an attempt by suspected robbers to steal his mobile phone and other personal belongings. The attack has sparked widespread grief across the country and renewed concerns over rising violent crime in Uganda’s capital.
According to witnesses, a group of attackers ambushed the footballer outside his residence in Makindye, a suburb of Kampala, striking him with paving stones before making away with his belongings. He was left unconscious at the scene and rushed to a nearby clinic before being transferred to a private hospital, where he died from his injuries on Wednesday.
Confirming the incident, SC Villa spokesperson Asan Kasingye said the defender was attacked as he approached his home. The club described Owori’s death as a devastating loss to both the team and Ugandan football.
“We have lost more than a player—we have lost a leader, brother and friend,” SC Villa said in a statement.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) also paid tribute to the late footballer, describing him as a leader on and off the pitch whose influence extended beyond the game. Uganda’s national team, the Cranes, remembered him as a player who carried the hopes of the nation and inspired many young footballers.
Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala said investigators have begun processing the crime scene and are pursuing leads to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack. As of the time of this report, no arrests had been announced.
Owori, popularly known as “Colgate,” returned to SC Villa in 2023 after a two-year stint in Europe. He played both as a right-back and midfielder and was instrumental in helping the club win its 17th Uganda Premier League title in 2024, ending a 20-year wait for the championship. His performances earned him a contract extension until January 2027, while he also represented Uganda during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
His death has triggered an outpouring of tributes from fans, teammates, politicians and sports officials. Uganda’s Parliament observed a minute of silence in his honour and called for a swift investigation, while many citizens have taken to social media to demand stronger measures to tackle violent crime in Kampala. The tragedy comes only weeks after the death of Ugandan rugby international Sydney Gongodyo, who was also killed in a violent attack in the city.
