Uganda is mourning the loss of David Owori, a football captain whose rise to national prominence was cut short after he was killed in a suspected robbery attack in Kampala.
The 27-year-old SC Villa defender was attacked near his home in Makindye, a suburb of the Ugandan capital. Police say he suffered serious injuries after allegedly resisting an attempt to steal his phone and other belongings.
But for many Ugandans, Owori’s death is not only about how he died — it is about the football legacy he leaves behind.
The versatile player was at the heart of SC Villa’s revival, helping the club end a 20-year wait for a league title by winning the Uganda Premier League championship in 2024.
Known by fans as “Colgate”, Owori was seen as a natural leader on and off the pitch. His performances earned him the captain’s armband and a contract extension that was set to keep him at the club until 2027.
He also wore Uganda’s national colours, representing the Cranes and earning recognition as a player with the potential to become a key figure in the country’s football future.
Tributes have poured in from across Uganda, with SC Villa describing him as “a leader, brother and friend”. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) called him an inspiration to a generation of players.
Police are investigating the attack, while public anger grows over violent crime in Kampala.
Owori’s death comes weeks after another Ugandan sports figure, rugby international Sydney Gongodyo, was killed in a separate attack — intensifying calls for action against insecurity in the capital.
Uganda has lost a footballer. But it has also lost a leader whose best years were still ahead of him.