Ugandan footballer David Owor has died aged 27 after allegedly being assaulted by suspected robbers near his home in Kampala, prompting widespread grief and renewed anger over violent crime in the country.
Police said Owor was attacked after resisting an attempt to steal his mobile phone and other belongings. The incident has shocked Uganda’s football community, with supporters, team-mates and politicians calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.
Owor was captain of Sports Club Villa, the most successful club in Ugandan Premier League history. He played as both a right-back and midfielder and also represented the Uganda national team.
SC Villa confirmed his death in a statement, saying: “We have lost more than just a player… we have lost a leader, a brother and a friend.”
Witnesses said a group of attackers struck Owor with paving stones on Tuesday night before taking his possessions and fleeing. He was left unconscious at the scene.
Asan Kasinge, a spokesperson for SC Villa, said Owor had been targeted directly outside his home in Makindye, a suburb of Kampala.
“The player was ambushed by thugs as he approached his home, resulting in serious, life-threatening injuries before he was rushed to a medical facility,” Kasinge told reporters.
Owor was first taken to a nearby medical clinic before being transferred to a private facility in the city. He died from his injuries on Wednesday.
Local police spokesperson Rachel Kawala said investigators were following leads to identify those involved in the attack.
“The scene of the incident was documented and processed to ensure that all relevant evidence was collected and preserved,” Kawala said.
The killing has caused national shock, with tributes continuing to be paid to the defender, who was widely known by the nickname Colgate.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) described Owor as “a true leader on and off the pitch”.
Its statement added: “David was not just a footballer. He was a leader and an inspiration to an entire generation.”
Uganda’s national team, known as the Cranes, said the country had lost a football star who carried its hopes.
SC Villa, who hold the record for the most Ugandan Premier League titles, also mourned the loss of a player who had become a prominent figure within the club.
Parliament observed a minute’s silence for Owor on Wednesday and called for a swift investigation into his death.
The case has renewed public concern about violent attacks in Uganda, while the football community continues to demand justice for a player remembered for his leadership both on and off the field.
