Police have issued a preliminary report on the death of Nigerian national Abubakar Lawal, a professional footballer at Vipers Sports Club.
Though initial reports suggested that he died in a road accident along Entebbe Road, the police statement indicates that he allegedly fell from the third floor of Voicemall Shopping Arcade on the morning of February 24, 2025.
The report further states that Lawal arrived at the shopping mall in his vehicle, registration number UBQ 695G, to meet his friend, Omary Naima, a Tanzanian national residing in room 416 since February 20, 2025.
According to Naima, she left Lawal in the room preparing tea and proceeded to a game center within the mall. Shortly after, at approximately 8:00 AM, Lawal reportedly fell from the balcony. He was rushed to Entebbe Referral Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police stated that items belonging to the deceased, including two smartphones, a pair of open shoes, headsets, a training kit, and chargers, were recovered from his black backpack.
“As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities are retrieving CCTV footage and conducting thorough interrogations to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident,” police said.
The football community has been left reeling from the news, with tributes pouring in for the young footballer. Vipers Sports Club has released a statement expressing their shock and sadness at the loss of their player.
Lawal joined Vipers in 2022 and made history by scoring the club’s first-ever group stage goal in the CAF Champions League in a 1-1 draw against Raja Casablanca. He had been a jovial presence in the team.
