SC Villa captain David Owori has died after succumbing to injuries sustained in a brutal attack by unknown assailants in Makindye, a suburb of Kampala.
Owori, 27, was attacked near his home at around 8:00pm on Tuesday and rushed to Case Clinic for emergency treatment. He was later pronounced dead.
SC Villa confirmed his death in a statement on Wednesday, describing the incident as a devastating loss to the club and the wider football community.
“SC Villa is devastated to confirm the death of its club captain, David Owori, following a brutal attack by unknown individuals,” the statement read.
“The club commiserates with David’s family, teammates, friends, supporters, and the entire football fraternity during this painful moment. David was a valuable player, leader, and servant of the game whose loss is deeply felt by both the club and the nation.”
The club called on security agencies to expedite investigations and bring those responsible to justice, describing the killing as a senseless act.
“The club urges the relevant security and law enforcement agencies to urgently pursue, apprehend, and prosecute the perpetrators of this heinous crime. This must not go unanswered,” the statement added.
A right-back who wore jersey number 15, Owori had established himself as one of SC Villa’s most influential players and leaders. His consistent performances earned him recognition at the national level, including a place in the provisional Uganda Cranes squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
News of his death sparked widespread grief across the country, with tributes pouring in from teammates, fans, football administrators and the broader sporting fraternity.
By Wednesday morning, police had yet to issue a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the attack. Investigations are expected to establish the motive and identify the assailants.
Owori’s death comes just months after another tragedy in Ugandan sport. In June, national rugby player Sydney Gongodyo, 27, was beaten to death in a mob attack after being falsely accused of theft in a case of mistaken identity. Several suspects have since been arrested and charged.
The death of Owori is a major blow to SC Villa and Ugandan football, with many remembering him for his leadership, discipline and commitment on and off the pitch.
