Unidentified assailants beat one of Uganda’s best-known footballers to death in a suburb of Kampala.
David Owori, 27, who captained Sports Club Villa and played for Uganda’s national team, died from injuries he suffered in an attack on Tuesday night after he reportedly resisted an attempt to steal his mobile phone.
The attack happened in Makindye, a suburb of the capital.
Witnesses said a group of attackers struck Owori with paving stones before taking his belongings and fleeing the scene. Passers-by found him unconscious and took him to a nearby hospital. Doctors later transferred him to another hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala confirmed his death.
Ugandans have flooded social media with tributes and demands for justice since news of the attack broke.
Owori’s death comes just weeks after rugby player Sydney Gongodyo died after a mob in Kampala assaulted him, mistaking him for a thief, according to police.
Uganda’s Parliament held a minute’s silence in Owori’s honour on Wednesday and called for an investigation.
Owori represented Uganda’s national team during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign and helped SC Villa win their first league title in 20 years in 2024.
