David Otti, the Coach of Express FC is dead. He was 74. Otti died on Thursday at Case Hospital in Kampala following a sustained battle with diabetes.
Time up for the respect Coach David Otti (RIP)
According to Hamid Juma, a close friend of the deceased, Otti collapsed today morning after he and his wife Faith had just returned to their home in Mutundwe from shopping in the city centre. He was rushed to Case Hospital where he died at around 1pm.
Otti has coached Express, SC Villa and Kampala City Council whom he led to several top trophies. He also served as Uganda Cranes coach when the national teams qualified for the Africa Cup of Nation in Cairo (1974) and Ethiopia (1976).
Otti who once served as the General Secretary of National Council of Sports also had short coaching spells in Somalia and Rwanda.
The Minister of Sports, Charles Bakabulindi expressed sadness at Otti’s death today and said Uganda’s has lost one of its veteran coaches and most noticeable soccer personalities.
Many people say though he was very knowledgeable about sports in the country, he was humble and respectful with his life.
Mohamood Katerega, the Club Manager of Express Football Club said they are shocked by Otti;s death although he has been struggling with diabetes which led to his led to be amputated in May 2010.
By Thursday evening, Otti’s body was due to be taken to Mulago for postmortem. A meeting was due at the deceased’s home in Mutundwe to agree on burial arrangements. It is expected that Otti will be buried at his home place in Gulu.