Police have arrested seven suspects in connection with the murder and robbery of former Sports Club Villa captain David Owori, following an intelligence-led investigation that traced the mobile phone stolen from him during the attack.
Owori was attacked near his residence on August 4, 2026, and robbed of his mobile phone and other personal belongings. He later succumbed to injuries sustained in the attack, sparking a murder investigation and public concern over the growing violence associated with robberies targeting mobile phones and other valuables.
According to the Uganda Police Force, investigators traced Owori’s stolen phone, leading them to a network of individuals suspected of dealing in stolen electronic devices.
Police say the investigation has exposed how stolen phones and other electronics are moved through networks of people who buy, store, sell or conceal property whose ownership or source cannot be satisfactorily explained.
The force warned that this underground market is helping to create a ready market for criminal gangs, effectively encouraging them to continue carrying out violent robberies.
The recovery of Owori’s phone, coupled with intelligence gathered during the investigation, resulted in the arrest of seven suspects allegedly linked to his murder and other violent robberies reported in Nsambya, Nabisaalu and Makindye.
Four of the suspects—Ahumuza David, Lubega Martin, Ssegawa Francis and Munguci Elvis—have also been strongly linked to other crime scenes, according to Police.
Investigators say the four are connected to the alleged robbery of a Congolese national in Makindye Division on August 4, the same night Owor was attacked.
The victim was reportedly assaulted with a blunt object before being robbed of a mobile phone and other property.
Police have also linked some of the suspects to an earlier violent robbery in Makindye.
In particular, Ahumuza David and Magumba Arafat have been connected to an aggravated robbery case involving Mugisha Edrisa, who was allegedly struck with a blunt object during a robbery on July 31, 2026.
The latest arrests have therefore widened the investigation beyond Owor’s killing, with detectives examining whether the suspects form part of a wider criminal network involved in violent robberies and the subsequent disposal of stolen property.
The deadly phone market
Police have issued a strong warning to members of the public who purchase mobile phones and other electronics through informal channels, particularly where prices are unusually low.
The force says some of the phones, tablets, computers, SIM cards and other valuables sold cheaply on the illegal market may have been stolen from victims of violent crimes.
In some cases, Police said, victims are seriously injured during robberies before their property is taken.
Owori’s death has become a particularly stark example of the potential consequences of the illicit trade, with Police arguing that every purchase of stolen property can help finance and sustain criminal networks.
Police urged members of the public to buy electronic devices and other valuables only from known and legitimate dealers.
Buyers have also been advised to be suspicious of rushed transactions, unusually cheap offers and sellers who cannot satisfactorily explain where an item came from or who owns it.
For electronic devices, Police encouraged buyers, where possible, to verify the IMEI or serial number before completing a purchase.
Anyone who suspects that property is stolen, or who encounters individuals dealing in suspected stolen goods, has been urged to report the matter to the nearest Police station.
Police target stolen-goods networks
The Police said they have previously conducted operations targeting the illicit trade in suspected stolen electronic devices and will continue pursuing people involved in the buying, selling and concealment of stolen property.
The force also urged victims of theft and robbery to provide proof of ownership when seeking the recovery of their property.
Police said members of the public have a critical role to play in dismantling the market for stolen goods by refusing to buy items whose origins are questionable.
“The public should not create a market for stolen property,” Police warned, noting that demand for cheaply acquired stolen goods can encourage criminals to target more victims.
The investigation into Owori’s murder and the related robberies remains ongoing as detectives pursue further leads and examine the wider network allegedly connected to the suspects.
The Police have also urged the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, activities and property.
The case has renewed scrutiny of the growing link between violent street robberies and the underground market for stolen mobile phones, with the recovery of Owori’s device providing investigators with a crucial lead in unravelling the alleged criminal network.
Police say cooperation from the public will be critical in disrupting the market that turns stolen property into quick cash—and potentially fuels further attacks on unsuspecting victims.
