Police have arrested several suspected members of a gang believed to be behind the murder of SC Villa player David Owori in Makindye, Kampala.
The arrests followed the recovery of Owori’s iPhone 14 Pro Max, which detectives tracked to Kisenyi in central Kampala.
According to police, one of the suspects, identified as Frank, alias Musezi, was the first to be arrested after detectives traced the stolen phone. During interrogation, he reportedly provided information that led investigators to other members of the suspected gang.
Another suspect, identified as Frank Araali, was subsequently arrested. Police said Araali disclosed that the gang routinely stole mobile phones and other valuables before selling them at different locations around Kampala.
Investigators also discovered that the suspects allegedly used a Toyota Harrier during their operations and hid stolen property inside the vehicle.
Police further arrested girlfriends of some of the suspects, who reportedly told detectives that their partners regularly returned home with items believed to have been stolen, including handbags, mobile phones, shoes and necklaces. A total of nine suspects have so far been arrested.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly admitted to attacking Owori but claimed they did not know he was a prominent footballer. They allegedly told investigators that their intention was to rob him and not kill him.
Speaking during the weekly security briefing at Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said investigations were still ongoing and detectives were pursuing other suspects whose names had emerged during interrogation.
Owori, 26, was attacked at about 8pm on Tuesday while returning home from training along Nalinya-Mpologoma Road in Dubai Zone, Makindye.
Police said the attackers, who were reportedly travelling on a motorcycle, struck the footballer with paving stones before stealing his iPhone, another mobile phone and money.
The attackers then fled, leaving Owori unconscious in a drainage channel.
He was initially rushed to Sir Albert Cook Hospital for emergency treatment before being transferred to Case Hospital, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
Owori died from his injuries on Wednesday morning.
