David Owori’s death has left Uganda’s football family mourning not only a talented midfielder, but a captain, leader and promising sportsman whose life was brutally cut short at 27.
Owori, the SC Villa captain and Uganda Cranes player, died last week after unknown assailants attacked him near his home in Makindye on August 3. He suffered multiple injuries and was admitted to Case Clinic, where he later died.
His death sent shockwaves through the sporting fraternity and renewed concerns about violent robberies in Uganda’s urban centres. SC Villa called for a thorough investigation, describing the tragedy as a devastating loss to the club and country.
Parliament also mourned Owori after Opposition Chief Whip Paul Mwiru raised his death as a matter of national importance.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa subsequently asked the House to observe a minute of silence, while Third Deputy Prime minister Rukia Isanga Nakadama pledged that government would consult relevant agencies and follow up on the matter.
For Mark Ssali, head of Corporate Affairs and Communication at the National Council of Sports (MCS), Owori’s death exposed the growing threat posed by violent gangs.
“Our security forces need to work aggressively on these gangs; they can eliminate them if they want to. But their focus is at the moment elsewhere,” Ssali remarked.
Local football governing body, Fufa, remembered Owori as more than a footballer.
“David was not just a footballer; he was both a leader and an inspiration to a generation,” the federation noted in a statement.
Uganda Sports Press Association (Uspa) president Al-Sayid Lubega described the tragedy as a wake-up call, warning that sports personalities are not immune to violence in the city.
Security forces arrested four suspects following the attack and recovered more than 100 stolen mobile phones. Owori’s football journey began at youth level before he rose through Lukuli United and joined SC Vipers during the 2016 season.
He later featured for Proline FC before joining SC Villa in 2018, where he established himself as a midfielder. After three seasons at Villa Park, he pursued a professional career in Europe, playing for Spanish side Velez CF from 2021–2022 before moving to Sweden, where he featured for Utsiktens BK from 2022–2023.
Born on September 23, 1998, to Eriasaf Osinde and Berna Nyadio, Owori was educated at Christ the King Primary School, Nsambya, Mackey Memorial Nateete, Masaka Town College, Star SS–Jeza, East High School Ntinda and Lubiri SS.
He later joined St. Lawrence University. Owori was laid to rest on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at his ancestral home in Awuyu village, Iyolwa subcounty, Tororo district, about 210km east of Kampala.
He is survived by his widow, Brenda, and their three-year-old son. His death came only two months after national team rugby player Sydney Gongodyo, 27, was attacked and killed in Bukoto on June 5 after being falsely accused. For the sporting community, Owori’s final journey is a painful reminder of a life of promise interrupted far too soon.