Four young men accused of participating in the killing of SC Villa captain David Owori have been remanded to Luzira Prison after appearing before the Makindye Chief Magistrates Court, where they faced charges of murder and aggravated robbery.
The suspects—Ahumuza David, 18, Elvis Munguci alias Sadik Emmanuel Commander, 19, Ssegawa Francis, 20, and Lubega Martin, 18—appeared before Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera on Friday. However, they did not enter pleas because the offences against them are capital in nature and are therefore outside the jurisdiction of the magistrates’ court.
The court ordered the four to remain in custody until September 10, 2026, when the case will return for mention. The magistrate also informed them that they have the right to seek bail from the High Court.
Prosecution alleges that the four suspects, together with other individuals who are still at large, ambushed Owori on August 4 in Dubai Zone, Makindye Division, as he was returning home from training.
According to the prosecution case, the attackers allegedly robbed the footballer of two mobile phones and a bag containing his personal belongings before fatally assaulting him.
Owori, 27, was reportedly attacked along Nalinya-Mpologoma Road. Witnesses said he was struck with paving stones and left unconscious. He was initially taken to a nearby medical facility before being transferred to Case Hospital, where he died the following day from injuries sustained during the attack.
The killing shocked Uganda’s football community. Owori was captain of SC Villa, one of Uganda’s most decorated football clubs, and had also represented Uganda at international level. He played a key role in SC Villa’s 2024 Uganda Premier League title triumph and was regarded as an important leader within the team.
The case has taken a wider turn after police linked the suspects to other alleged robberies in Makindye and surrounding areas. Prosecutors say the accused also face a separate case involving the alleged robbery of Congolese national Dr Jackson Ombeni.
In that incident, the prosecution alleges that Ombeni was attacked and robbed of an iPhone 11 Pro Max, US$90, a bag, documents and other belongings valued at more than Shs1 million. A paver was allegedly used during the attack. Two of the suspects also face another robbery allegation involving Edrisa Mugisha, who prosecutors say was struck with a piece of wood before his Tecno phone was taken.
Police have reportedly arrested 17 people in connection with investigations into the wider gang, describing some as key suspects, associates and alleged stolen-phone promoters. Investigators have also recovered an iPhone believed to have belonged to Owori, alongside other items and numerous suspected stolen mobile phones.
The murder and aggravated robbery charges are serious offences under Uganda’s Penal Code and are to be tried by the High Court. The court proceedings therefore mark only the beginning of the judicial process, and the four suspects remain legally presumed innocent until proven guilty.
If convicted of murder, the accused could face the most severe penalties provided under Ugandan law, including the possibility of a death sentence, while life imprisonment is also among the sentences imposed in serious murder cases. The eventual punishment, however, would depend on the evidence presented, the findings of the High Court and the circumstances established during trial.
As investigations continue, police say some suspects remain at large. The prosecution’s case will therefore be closely watched as authorities seek to establish who was responsible for the fatal attack that claimed the life of one of Uganda’s promising football leaders.
