By Karim Were
TORORO — Hundreds of mourners gathered at Bendo Village in Iyolwa Sub-county, Tororo District, on Friday to pay their final respects to former SC Villa captain David Owori, whose death has prompted calls for a swift and thorough investigation.
Owori died in hospital after he was attacked by suspected thugs while on his way home in Kampala. He sustained injuries during the assault and later succumbed to them, according to information presented during his burial.
His death has left the Ugandan football fraternity mourning the loss of a player remembered for his leadership, dedication and contribution to the sport.
The burial brought together former teammates from SC Villa and other clubs Owori represented during his playing career, alongside cultural and religious leaders, government officials, friends, relatives and residents from the community.
Mourners described Owori as a hardworking and inspirational sportsman who encouraged those around him and played an important role in the success of the teams he represented.
#Teammates remember a leader
Former teammates remembered Owori not only for his ability on the football pitch but also for the confidence and encouragement he gave to fellow players.
One of his former teammates described him as a player who consistently encouraged others to believe in their abilities and work harder.
“He was one player who gave us confidence. He could tell you, ‘You are better than you think and can go further than you think.’ Sometimes we would sit and wonder how that could be possible, but he gave us the morale to work hard,” the teammate said.
The former player said Owori’s death had created a difficult moment for those who knew him, adding that his colleagues would seek ways to preserve his memory and legacy.
“It is such a hard time now that he is no more. We promise to do something that will keep his name and legacy alive,” he said.
The remarks reflected the wider mood at the burial, where speakers portrayed Owori as a figure who combined sporting ability with leadership and the ability to motivate others.
#SC Villa pays tribute to former captain
SC Villa, one of Uganda’s oldest and most decorated football clubs, also paid tribute to its former captain.
Representing the club’s president, former Deputy Inspector General of Police Assan Kasingye praised Owori for his commitment and work ethic, saying his dedication played a role in the club’s successes.
Kasingye said Owori was deeply committed to SC Villa and regularly demonstrated that commitment through his approach to training and matches.
“David helped us win the Uganda Premier League in 2023 and 2024. He was the first to appear on the pitch and the last to leave, and that is why we trusted him as captain,” Kasingye said.
He also recalled Owori’s ambition for the club and quoted the former captain expressing his desire to help SC Villa achieve further success.
“He recently told the world, ‘We want to add more silverware for this club to reach history.’ That is how David thought about his club, SC Villa,” Kasingye said.
The tribute highlighted the significance of Owori’s contribution to a club whose history is closely associated with Ugandan football.
His former teammates and club officials described his leadership as an important part of the team’s environment, particularly during a period when the club was competing for domestic honours.
#FUFA calls for investigation
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) joined the football fraternity in mourning Owori and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Representing FUFA president Moses Magogo, Rodgers Mulindwa said Owori’s death was a loss not only to his family and friends but also to Ugandan football and the wider country.
Mulindwa questioned why Owori had been targeted and urged police to establish what happened.
“The question is, why Owori? This is what still remains in the minds of the public,” Mulindwa said.
He referred to the recent death of another sportsman from the rugby fraternity and said questions surrounding the incidents needed to be addressed through proper investigations.
“Recently, we lost another player from rugby. There is a feeling that this could be a deliberate move targeting the sports fraternity and you cannot rule it out,” Mulindwa said.
However, he emphasised the need for investigators to establish the facts.
“Police should investigate and make the details clear because we cannot keep building players only to end up losing them like this,” he added.
The remarks added to calls from mourners and sports officials for authorities to investigate the attack and provide answers to Owori’s family and the wider public.
#A loss to Ugandan football
Owori’s death has renewed concerns among members of the sports community about the safety of athletes and other public figures.
For those who knew him, however, the immediate focus remained on remembering his contribution to football and the people he influenced during his career.
Former teammates spoke about his ability to motivate fellow players, while club officials highlighted his commitment to SC Villa.
His leadership role as captain meant he was not only responsible for his individual performance but also expected to guide and motivate teammates on and off the pitch.
Such responsibilities, mourners said, made his loss particularly painful for the players and officials who worked alongside him.
The presence of representatives from different sections of Ugandan society at his burial also demonstrated the breadth of his connections beyond football.
#Calls for answers
As Owori was laid to rest in Bendo Village, the calls for justice became a central part of the tributes delivered at the ceremony.
Speakers urged the relevant authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack in Kampala, identify those responsible and ensure that the findings are made known.
For his family, teammates and supporters, the investigation is expected to provide answers about how the former captain was attacked and why he became a victim of the assault.
The calls also reflect a broader concern within the sports fraternity that the loss of athletes through violence should not become normalised without accountability.
While Mulindwa raised the possibility of deliberate targeting of sports personalities, he did not present it as an established fact. He instead called for police investigations to determine whether there was any connection between Owori’s death and other incidents involving sportspeople.
#A legacy remembered
Beyond the circumstances of his death, mourners at Bendo Village remembered Owori for the contribution he made to football and the encouragement he offered to fellow players.
His former teammate’s pledge to keep his name and legacy alive reflected the desire among those who knew him to ensure that his influence continues beyond his playing career.
At SC Villa, his former colleagues remember a captain who was committed to the club and ambitious about its future.
His death therefore leaves both a personal loss for his family and friends and a professional loss for the football community that benefited from his leadership.
As the football fraternity mourns, attention now turns to the investigation into the attack that claimed his life.
For Owori’s family, teammates and supporters, the hope is that the circumstances surrounding his death will be established and that those responsible will be held accountable.
The burial in Tororo marked the end of a final journey for a player remembered for his determination and leadership, but the questions surrounding his death remain, with mourners calling for answers and justice.
