Ugandan football has been plunged into mourning following the death of Sports Club (SC) Villa captain David Owori, who succumbed to injuries sustained during an attack near his home in Kampala. He was 27.
According to Ugandan police, the incident occurred on Tuesday night in the Makindye area of Kampala. Preliminary investigations indicate that Owori was attacked by unidentified assailants while returning home, with authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding the assault.
Local reports said the footballer sustained severe injuries during the attack and was initially taken to a nearby medical facility before being transferred to Case Hospital, where he died on Wednesday despite efforts to save his life. Investigators are continuing a manhunt for those responsible.
In a statement, SC Villa described Owori’s death as a devastating loss to the club and Ugandan football.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our captain, David Owori. He was a valuable player, a respected leader, and a committed servant of the game. We have lost more than a player—we have lost a leader, brother, and friend,” the club said.
The club also appealed to security agencies to ensure those behind the attack are identified and prosecuted.
“We call upon the relevant security and law enforcement agencies to urgently pursue, apprehend, and bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous crime,” the statement added.
Owori was widely regarded as one of SC Villa’s most influential players, captaining the club and helping it maintain its status as Uganda’s most successful football team with a record 17 league titles. He also played a key role in the club’s recent domestic campaigns.
His death has triggered an outpouring of tributes from across Uganda’s football community and renewed concerns over violent crime in Kampala. On Wednesday, Uganda’s Parliament observed a minute of silence in his honour as lawmakers called for stronger measures to address rising insecurity in the capital.
Police said investigations into the killing remain ongoing and urged members of the public with relevant information to assist authorities as efforts continue to apprehend the suspects.