Vipers SC President Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa has called for a comprehensive investigation into the tragic death of Nigerian forward Abubakar Lawal, who passed away on Monday after allegedly falling from the third floor of Voice Shopping Mall in Bwebajja.
Speaking during a solemn Dua prayer service held at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on Thursday, February 27, Mulindwa urged police and other security agencies to leave no stone unturned in establishing the exact circumstances surrounding the player’s demise.
“I call upon the Police and other departments to carry out proper investigations,” Mulindwa stated. “We may not be able to bring back Lawal, but we want to know the cause.”
Lawal’s passing at just 29 years old left the Ugandan football fraternity in shock. The forward, who joined Vipers in July 2022 from Rwanda’s AS Kigali, played a crucial role in the club’s historic 2022/23 domestic double-winning season.
His sudden and tragic death has raised concerns, with initial police reports indicating he was at the shopping mall to meet a Tanzanian acquaintance, Omary Naima.
Authorities have since taken Naima into custody for questioning as investigations continue.
Mulindwa, visibly shaken by the loss of one of his most trusted players, emphasized that Lawal’s contributions to Vipers SC and Ugandan football would not be forgotten.
He assured the club’s supporters that Vipers would honour the striker’s legacy, beginning with a special tribute match against Mbarara City on Sunday, March 2, at Kitende.
“In honour of Lawal, we are dedicating our next game to him. I call upon all friends and supporters to come and watch that game in respect of our foreign hero,” Mulindwa added.
Lawal’s death remains a subject of investigation, with police reviewing CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts.
The football community now waits anxiously for the findings, hoping to uncover the truth behind the heartbreaking loss of a talented and beloved player.
