Authorities in Uganda have confirmed the death of a local football player after he was allegedly assaulted by teammates.
Churchill Owaci, 22, reportedly made a defensive error in a local football league game in the Lamwo District that led to his side conceding a goal, during a friendly match.
According to Dennis Onyon, a sub-county chairperson who confirmed the incident, Owaci’s teammates pounced on him with blows after the blunder.
He was badly beaten before his teammates were pulled off him.
Churchill Owaci’s suspected killers are currently held at Lamwo central police station pending a further probe into the matter.
However, the situation was said to have gone from bad to worse after Owaci accosted one of his assaulters moments after the match.
The confrontation brewed a fresh fight that saw Owaci sustain serious injuries before he collapsed.
Owari was later said to have accosted his assaulters brewing a fresh fight that saw him sustain serious injuries and later collapsed.
He was rushed to the hospital for medical attention where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel.
“The deceased collapsed a few metres away from the fight scene and was rushed to Agoro Health Centre III, where he was pronounced dead a few hours later,” Onyon was quoted saying.
Two brothers identified as Joel Okello aged just 19 and Francis Opio have since been apprehended in connection to Owaci’s death.
Aswa River Region police spokesperson Jimmy Okema said that the suspects are currently held at Lamwo central police station pending a further probe into the matter.
A witness claims Owaci’s defensive blunder may have been as the result of a big night prior to the match, with the player setting foot on the field under the influence of alcohol.
