Uganda international footballer David Owori has died from injuries sustained in an assault in the capital, Kampala, police said on Thursday.
The 28-year-old, who captained SC Villa, one of Uganda’s leading football clubs, was attacked by unidentified assailants in a Kampala suburb on Tuesday, police spokesperson Racheal Kawala said.
Passers-by found Owori unconscious and took him to a nearby hospital. He was later transferred to another medical facility, where he was pronounced dead.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations paid tribute to Owori, describing him as a leader and an inspiration to a generation of players and supporters.
The federation said he captained SC Villa with courage, humility and passion, while carrying the hopes of the country whenever he represented Uganda’s national team, the Cranes.
Owori’s death triggered widespread anger and grief among Ugandans on social media, with many calling on authorities to improve security and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
His killing comes less than two months after another prominent Ugandan sportsman died following an assault in Kampala.
Rugby player Sydney Gongodyo was killed in June after being attacked by a mob that apparently mistook him for a thief, according to police.
Uganda’s state-run National Council of Sports said the country’s sporting community had suffered a series of recent tragedies and called for justice and lasting measures to prevent similar incidents.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa also urged authorities to address broader security concerns in the country, according to a statement published on parliament’s website.
Police have not disclosed a possible motive for the attack on Owori or announced any arrests.