17 arrested as probe into SC Villa captain's murder intensifies
“During interrogation, the key suspects disclosed that the group had been conducting attacks on members of the community, allegedly using paving blocks (pavers), and identified several of their accomplices. The suspects further revealed that on the fateful day, they moved as a gang and attacked unsuspecting members of the public in areas around Nsambya, Nabisaalu, Kirombe and Makindye in Kampala,” Kawala said.
Kawala explained that the key suspects had confessed that on the night of August 4, 2026, together with others still at large, they allegedly attacked Owori and robbed him of his mobile phone, an iPhone 14 Pro Max.
KAMPALA - Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) have today (August, 11, 2026) announced the arrest of 17 suspects as investigations into the murder of David Owor, the team captain of Sports Club (SC) Villa, progress.
KMP spokesperson Racheal Kawala said the suspects comprise three stolen-phone promoters, five key suspects, and nine associates of the prime suspects.
She also revealed that the suspects had confessed to attacking, robbing and injuring Owori on the night of August 4, 2026. Owori later succumbed to the injuries on August 5, 2026, at Case Clinic where he had been admitted.
“During interrogation, the key suspects disclosed that the group had been conducting attacks on members of the community, allegedly using paving blocks (pavers), and identified several of their accomplices. The suspects further revealed that on the fateful day, they moved as a gang and attacked unsuspecting members of the public in areas around Nsambya, Nabisaalu, Kirombe and Makindye in Kampala,” she said.
Kawala explained that the key suspects had confessed that on the night of August 4, 2026, together with others still at large, they allegedly attacked Owori and robbed him of his mobile phone, an iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Among the items recovered were: two pairs of shoes, one of which had bloodstains and is suspected to be linked to the incident; one pair of shin guards found in a black bag, suspected to have belonged to the deceased; one canister of pepper spray; and one motorcycle, among other exhibits relevant to the ongoing investigations.
Kawala said they are continuing with efforts to trace, arrest and bring to justice the remaining suspects and other associates linked to the group.
On Saturday, August 8, 2026, police confirmed the arrest of two suspects linked to the attack on Owori.
Police Spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said the two suspects were arrested after they tracked the deceased's stolen phone.
"Following the murder of Owori, a captain of Villa Football Club, we would like to update you on the progress of the investigation. It has been established that the deceased was robbed of an iPhone 14 Pro Max. The tracking of the stolen phone has led officers to two suspects: Bashir Munyaneza alias ‘Jemo’, a suspected dealer in stolen mobile phones, and his associate Samuel Magoba," Kituuma said.
He said police also recovered four bags of suspected stolen phones, including 80 iPhones, 40 Samsung phones, 8 Redmi phones, 2 Tecno phones, 2 Infinix phones, 2 Vivo phones, 3 button phones, 4 motherboards, 3 iPads and SIM cards (MTN, Safaricom, Airtel, and Lyca).
Crime statistics
While releasing the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025 in April this year, Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba said a total of 196,405 cases were reported to police, compared to 218,715 in 2024, representing a 10.2% reduction.
Of the reported cases, 115,301 were submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, from which 79,291 were taken to court.
Out of the 32 policing regions in Uganda, KMP South registered the highest number of cases with 13,950, followed by Rwizi with 13,416, KMP North with 13,340, North Kyoga with 12,728 and KMP East with 10,388.
At district or divisional level, Wakiso Police Division registered the highest number of cases with 3,177, followed by Luweero Police Station with 3,123, Mukono Police Division with 2,880, Tororo Police Station with 2,831 and Ntungamo Police Station with 2,825.