David Owori, captain of Uganda Premier League side SC Villa and former national team player, died after being attacked during a robbery in Kampala on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old was targeted near his home in Makindye division while resisting thieves attempting to steal his mobile phone and other belongings. Witnesses reported that the attackers used paving stones to assault him before fleeing the scene. Passersby found Owori unconscious and took him to a nearby hospital; he was later transferred to Case Clinic, where he was pronounced dead on Wednesday.
Owori played as a right-back and midfielder, helping SC Villa secure their record 17th league title in 2024. He began his senior career in 2016 with Vipers Sports Club, had stints in Europe with Spain's Vélez CF and Sweden's Utsiktens BK, and represented Uganda in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. SC Villa expressed deep sorrow over his death, calling him a leader and extending condolences to his family. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations described Owori as a source of inspiration, noting his courage and passion on and off the field. Uganda's parliament observed a minute of silence in his honour on Wednesday.
The Kampala Metropolitan police confirmed the incident through spokesperson Racheal Kawala, who said investigations are ongoing. This follows another recent case in June when Ugandan rugby player Sydney Gongodyo died after being attacked by a mob in Kampala. The National Council of Sports said Ugandan sport has faced multiple tragedies lately and called for justice and lasting solutions.
A national team captain dies from injuries after being attacked with paving stones during a robbery over a mobile phone, exposing the vulnerability of public figures to street violence. When athletes are targeted in such attacks, it raises concerns about personal safety in urban areas despite their visibility and status. The recurrence of violent incidents involving Ugandan athletes suggests a deeper issue that institutions and authorities must confront.
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