Nigerian footballer dies in mysterious circumstance in Uganda

A 29-year-old Nigerian footballer Abubakar Lawal, who played as a striker for Ugandan Premier League club Vipers SC, has been reported dead after he fell from the third floor of a shopping mall in Kampala.

Penpushing reports that police said the footballer had been visiting a Tanzanian friend residing in one of the mall’s residential apartments, adding that investigation has been launched to unravel the ugly development.

The police added that Lawal, a former Nigeria U-20 international, was found critically injured outside the Voicemall Shopping Arcade early Monday morning, adding that he had been visiting a Tanzanian friend residing in one of the mall’s residential apartments.

Penpushing further reports that the player’s friend identified as Omary Naima, told police, she had left him alone in the apartment preparing tea while she stepped out to a game centre within the mall.

The friend explained that shortly after, at approximately 8:00 a.m., Lawal was found on the ground below, just as a report indicated that authorities are currently retrieving CCTV footage and conducting thorough interrogations to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.

“Preliminary reports indicate that Lawal arrived at the shopping mall in his vehicle, registration number UBQ 695G, to meet his friend, Omary Naima, a Tanzanian national residing in room 416 since February 20, 2025,” police stated.

Penpushing also reports that Naima, told the police that she left Lawal in the room and later learned he had fallen from the balcony, and later rushed to Entebbe Referral Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Ugandan Premier League club Vipers SC, in announcing the demise of Lawal said it was a sad development, describing his death as untimely and commiserated with the family, prayed for his soul to rest in peace

“We are deeply saddened to announce the sudden and untimely passing of our beloved player, Abubakar Lawal, who left us this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lawal’s family, club fans, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time’, the statement read

Penpushing reports that in same vein, the club stated that Lawal’s body had been transferred to a medical facility for a post-mortem examination, with funeral arrangements to be communicated in due course.

The Kano Pillars Football Club where Lawal previously played, also expressed their condolences emphasisng that the management is sad by the sudden passing of their former player, lamenting that the departure was a great loss

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our former player, Abubakar Lawal. His untimely departure is a great loss to the football community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Lawal’s family, friends, and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace’.

Penpushing further reports that there has, however, been conflicting reports, as initial reports suggested that Lawal had died in a motorcycle accident along Entebbe Road, but later, police findings pointed to a possible fall from the shopping mall balcony.

Meanwhile, the demise of Lawal who joined Vipers SC in July 2022 after spending two seasons with AS Kigali in Rwanda has raised concerns about the suspicious nature, with a call for through investigation

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