International Soccer Star, 27, Beaten to Death by Robbers Near His Home: Police

Paying tribute, his team said his "commitment, professionalism, and passion for the badge inspired teammates and supporters alike"

Police are investigating after Ugandan soccer star David Owori was beaten to death by robbers in the country's capital Kampala.

Owori, 27, who captained Sports Club (SC) Villa in the Uganda Premier League and represented the Ugandan national team, was attacked near his home on the night of Tuesday, Aug. 4, and died from his injuries the following day, per the BBC.

The Kampala Metropolitan Police said he was assaulted after he tried to stop the thieves from taking his cellphone and other belongings, while witnesses reported seeing a group of attackers hitting him with paving stones, the outlet reported.

KMP spokeswoman Rachael Kawala told local newspaper New Vision that passersby found Owori, also known by the nickname "Colgate," and transported him to the nearby Sir Albert Cook Hospital for treatment.

"At about 2 a.m. [on Wednesday, Aug. 5] he was referred to Case Hospital for specialized care, where he was later pronounced dead," she confirmed, adding that evidence is being collected from the scene.

In a statement from SC Villa, the club urged authorities to "bring to justice" the perpetrators, adding, "This senseless act has robbed the Club and the country of a committed captain and a promising sportsman, and it must not go unanswered."

The club paid tribute to "respected leader" Owori, saying he was "a player whose commitment, professionalism, and passion for the badge inspired teammates and supporters alike."

Further tributes arrived from across the East African country.

The Ugandan national team, known as the Cranes, wrote on Instagram, "David was not just a footballer. He was both a leader and an inspiration to a generation... In the Uganda Cranes jersey, he carried the hopes of a nation."

Vipers Sports Club, whom Owori represented from 2016 to 2018, said on X that it was "deeply saddened" by his "heartbreaking" death.

As well as representing Vipers SC and SC Villa, Owori spent time at Vélez CF in Spain and Utsiktens BK in Sweden, New Vision reported.

Lawmakers observed a minute's silence in honor of Owori in the Parliament of Uganda on Wednesday, Aug. 5, and called for justice to be delivered to his family, per the BBC.

PEOPLE reached out to the Uganda Police Force and Sports Club Villa for comment but did not immediately hear back.

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