Police have arrested two more suspects in connection with the murder of SC Villa Captain David Owori, bringing the total number of people in custody to four.
The latest arrests followed the recovery and tracing of Owori’s mobile phone, which was stolen during the attack that left the footballer fatally injured.
The Police Spokesperson, ACP Kituuma Rusoke said that detectives tracked the stolen phone and arrested two people believed to have bought it after it was taken from Owori even their identities not disclosed. This was during on Monday, August 10th, 2026.
“Last time we updated you on the arrest of two suspects following the murder of the SC Villa captain. Now we have traced the phone set of the deceased and, during the process, arrested two more suspects whom we believe are the buyers of the stolen phone. At the moment, we have four suspects and the number may increase,” Rusoke said.
He added that investigators were now closing in on individuals believed to have directly attacked Owori, stressing that everyone connected to the crime would be pursued.
“We are zeroing in on the last people who injured the victim, which led to his death, names will be provided later. Every person who was involved in this will be caught,” Rusoke said.
Owori died on August 5th, 2026, after he was attacked near his home in Makindye Division, Kampala. Passers-by reportedly found him unconscious and rushed him to hospital, where he later succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack.
Police believe the incident was robbery-related, with Owori’s mobile phone among the property taken from him. The stolen phone subsequently became a key lead in the investigation. Detectives traced the device, leading to the arrest of the first two suspects before expanding the probe to individuals believed to have handled or purchased it.
Rusoke also warned members of the public against buying mobile phones suspected to have been stolen, saying such transactions could expose buyers to criminal investigations.
“People who buy stolen phones also stand warned, do not be shocked when you buy a phone and get pulled into a murder case. Murder cases trace individuals involved prior, during and after the murder,” Rusoke said.
Owori’s death has sent shockwaves through Uganda’s football fraternity. The midfielder was captain of SC Villa and had also represented Uganda at international level.
He began his senior career at Vipers SC before playing abroad and later returning to Uganda. He was part of the SC Villa team that won the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League title, the club’s record-extending 17th league championship.
SC Villa, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and other sports stakeholders have mourned the footballer and called for those responsible for his death to be brought to justice.
