Police in Uganda are currently investigating the death of a Nigerian professional footballer named Abubakar Lawal, who is believed to have fallen from a balcony at a shopping mall in the capital city of Kampala. Lawal, who was 29 years old, had gone to visit a Tanzanian friend at the Voicemall Shopping Arcade when the incident occurred. He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

According to the police, Lawal’s friend, Omary Naima, had left him in her room to prepare tea just before the incident. Lawal had been a striker for the Vipers Sports Club, and the club expressed their sadness at the untimely passing of their beloved player.

Tributes have been pouring in for Lawal, who had been with the Vipers club since July 2022 after a two-year stint with AS Kigali in Rwanda. Vipers described Lawal as a unique person with a heart of gold who was always willing to help others and was incredibly generous. His former team in Nigeria, Nasarawa United, also mourned his sudden passing and wished for eternal rest.

Ugandan footballer Mustafa Kizza said it was hard to take in the news of Lawal’s death, describing him as a kind, talented, jolly, and loving person who would be greatly missed.

Reports of the incident have been conflicting, with some initially suggesting that Lawal had died in a motorcycle accident. However, the police have stated that they are investigating the exact circumstances of the incident and are retrieving CCTV footage and conducting interviews. Some items belonging to Lawal have been retrieved, including smartphones, shoes, headsets, and a training kit.

Authorities have stated that further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8e7dkld09zo