By Abubakar Lawal, the Nigerian forward for Vipers SC, lived a vibrant and dedicated life, earning admiration for his work ethic and kind-hearted nature. However, his untimely death yesterday morning has been clouded by conflicting reports and unanswered questions, raising concerns over the true circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Initial reports circulating on social media suggested that the 30-year-old had died in a motorcycle accident along Entebbe Road while en route to St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende for morning training. However, as more details emerged, inconsistencies in these reports began to surface.
Graphic images of Lawal’s lifeless body showed severe facial injuries—his face bloodied, bruised, and swollen—yet his body remained largely unscathed, casting doubt on the accident narrative. Another version of events claimed that he had crashed his Raum vehicle along the Express Highway, but this account was quickly dismissed when the car was found parked outside Voice Mall in Bwebajja, entirely undamaged.
As these contradictions mounted, Vipers SC administration called for a full-scale police investigation to uncover the truth behind Lawal’s death.
The mystery deepened when chilling photos of Lawal’s injuries surfaced online, fueling speculation that he may have been assaulted before his body was abandoned at Entebbe Grade B Hospital. According to club insiders, Vipers’ doctor, Michael Lule, received an anonymous call from the hospital, informing him of a “Nigerian coach” from the club who had been brought in deceased.
Confused by the reference to a coach rather than a player, Lule initially dismissed the call, stating that Vipers no longer had a Nigerian coach. It was only after the team’s morning training session that he realized Lawal was missing. Alarmed, he rushed to Entebbe, only to be confronted with the grim sight of Lawal’s lifeless body. The fact that his face bore significant wounds while the rest of his body was unscathed only deepened suspicions surrounding the cause of death.
Lawal, who resided near St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, frequently visited Bwebajja, where he socialized with Uganda’s Nigerian community. His wife, who periodically visited from Nigeria, often stayed briefly before returning home. Over his three years in Uganda, Lawal had developed a deep attachment to the country, even acquiring land in Wakiso and investing in business ventures, seemingly preparing for a long-term future beyond football—dreams that now remain unfulfilled.
By last evening, Vipers SC President Lawrence Mulindwa was engaged in high-level discussions regarding the club’s next steps in the investigation.
Lawal’s tragic death has sent shockwaves through the football community. His Vipers SC teammates, coaches, and fans have been left in mourning, struggling to come to terms with the shocking news. Social media platforms have been flooded with tributes from football administrators, players, and fans alike.
Vipers’ senior official, Haruna Kyobe, expressed his sorrow over the loss, describing Lawal as a consummate professional.
“Lawal was a rare breed of an expatriate footballer—committed to training, gave his all on match days, remained professional even when benched, and built strong relationships with players, coaches, administrators, and fans. He truly loved Vipers,” Kyobe remarked.
A Legacy Remembered
Lawal joined Vipers SC in 2022 from AS Kigali in Rwanda, arriving as a replacement for departing goal scorer César Manzoki. He quickly won over fans with his relentless work ethic and technical skills. His most memorable moment came when he scored against Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League group stages, securing a historic 1-1 draw—Vipers’ first-ever goal at this stage of the competition.
Under coach Alex Isabirye, Lawal thrived in a more advanced midfield role, contributing significantly to Vipers’ triumphant 2023 season, in which the club won both the league and the Uganda Cup. However, under the current coach, John “Ayala” Luyinda, he saw limited playing time this season, with Vipers still leading the Uganda Premier League and advancing in the Stanbic Uganda Cup.
Club Statement and Ongoing Investigations
Vipers SC confirmed the tragic news in an official statement:
“We are deeply saddened to announce the sudden and untimely passing of our beloved player, Abubakar Lawal. His body has been transferred to a medical facility for postmortem examination. Funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.”
While tributes continue to pour in, the football community eagerly awaits the results of the investigation, hoping for clarity on the true circumstances surrounding Lawal’s tragic demise.
Fact File
- Full Name: Abubakar Lawal
- Date of Birth: September 3, 1995
- Height: 1.78m (5ft 10in)
- Weight: 70kg
- Position: Striker
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Strong Foot: Right
- Teams Played For:
- 2022–2025: Vipers SC (Uganda)
- 2020–2022: AS Kigali (Rwanda)
- 2018–2020: Nasarawa United (Nigeria)
- 2016–2018: Wikki Tourists (Nigeria)
- 2014–2016: Kano Pillars (Nigeria)
