Witnesses Said a Group Attacked Owori With Stones From the Sidewalk, Then Stole His Belongings

Ugandan national team footballer David Owori, 27, was beaten to death on the street in Kampala, the capital, on Wednesday. Witnesses said a group attacked Owori with stones from the sidewalk, then stole his belongings and fled. He was taken to a nearby hospital and later transferred to a private hospital in the city, where he died on Tuesday despite treatment.

Owori, known for his versatility in midfield and defense, had returned to SC Villa in 2023 after two years in Europe with Sweden's Utsiktens. The club won a record 17th league title in 2024, and Owori was under contract until 2027. SC Villa said, "We lost more than a player; we lost a leader, a brother, and a friend. Spokesman Asan Kasingye said Owori was targeted just outside his home.

The killing sparked outrage in Uganda, with fans, teammates, and politicians demanding justice. The Uganda Football Federation (Fufa) called him "a football star who carried Uganda's hopes" and "a leader and an inspiration. Parliament observed a minute of silence in his memory on Tuesday. Owori had played in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and was likely to be recalled.