KAMPALA, Uganda — Police in Uganda have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of SC Villa captain David Owori after detectives traced his stolen iPhone 14 Pro Max, uncovering a wider suspected network involved in the theft and resale of mobile phones.
The suspects were identified as Bashir Munyaneza, alias Jemo, described by police as a suspected dealer in stolen mobile phones, and his alleged associate, Samuel Magoba.
The two are being held by police and are assisting investigators as detectives work to establish whether other individuals were involved in Owori’s killing and determine the extent of the suspected robbery network operating in Kampala and other parts of Uganda.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said subsequent operations resulted in the recovery of four bags containing dozens of electronic devices believed to have been stolen.
Among the recovered items were 80 iPhones, 40 Samsung phones, eight Redmi phones, two Tecno phones, two Infinix phones, two Vivo phones and three feature phones.
Detectives also recovered four phone motherboards, three iPads and SIM cards belonging to MTN, Safaricom, Airtel and Lyca.
Other recovered property included ladies’ bags containing identification documents, phone covers and hard drives.
“Investigations are ongoing to establish the full network behind the operation and to link the exhibits to other reported cases of robbery and theft in Kampala and surrounding areas,” Rusoke said.
Police have appealed to members of the public who recently lost mobile phones or other valuables to visit designated police stations and check whether their property is among the recovered exhibits.
How David Owori was killed
Owori, 26, was attacked at about 8pm on Tuesday while returning home from training along Nalinya-Mpologoma Road in Dubai Zone, Makindye, a Kampala suburb.
According to police and accounts surrounding the incident, the attackers were riding on a motorcycle when they allegedly struck Owori with paving stones before taking his iPhone, another mobile phone and money.
The assailants fled, leaving the footballer unconscious in a drainage channel.
Owori was taken to Sir Albert Cook Hospital for emergency treatment before being transferred to Case Hospital, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
He died from his injuries on Wednesday morning.
His death sent shockwaves through Uganda’s football community, with tributes pouring in for a player who had risen to become captain of one of the country’s most historic clubs.
A captain of SC Villa
Owori was a key defender and captain of SC Villa, one of Uganda’s most successful football clubs.
He had also been part of the Uganda Cranes national team setup and was summoned to the squad during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign.
His performances had raised expectations that he would establish himself more firmly in the national team.
Also Read: Uganda police explains why recovered stolen phones are mostly iPhones
Owori was buried in Tororo District on Saturday, with fellow footballers, officials, supporters and members of his community paying tribute to him.
Police probe wider robbery network
The arrests have provided a major development in an investigation that has also highlighted concerns about violent robberies in Kampala and its surrounding suburbs.
Motorcycle-riding attackers have frequently been accused of targeting pedestrians and motorists, with residents in areas around the scene of Owori’s attack calling for increased police patrols and improved street lighting.
The recovery of more than 100 smartphones and other electronic devices has now widened the investigation beyond Owori’s death, with detectives seeking to determine whether the suspects form part of an organised network involved in stealing, handling and reselling mobile phones.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni also raised concerns about security in Kampala while addressing the NRM Parliamentary Caucus at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Friday.
Museveni called for stronger security measures and directed investigations into whether some attacks could be linked to corruption or negligence by police officers failing to perform their duties.
Police said investigations remain active as detectives examine the recovered devices, trace their owners and establish whether the two suspects can be linked to other robbery cases.
Members of the public who have lost phones or other valuables have been urged to report to designated police stations and assist investigators in identifying recovered property.
