Lavish pad sparks row for Hearts ‘playboy’ David Obua

HEARTS star David Obua has sparked controversy after building a huge mansion in his African homeland.

The midfielder is thought to have splashed out £500,000 on the sprawling home in Munyonyo, Uganda. When completed, the five-bed villa will boast a cinema, football pitch, two garages, a full-size bar and banquet room.

It will also feature a gym, 50m swimming pool, steam bath, sauna and even a stable for horses.

A source was today quoted saying: “To many, Obua is one of Uganda’s biggest football exports.

“But he is also seen as a spoilt boy who is only concerned about his playboy lifestyle. Most Ugandans earn less than 50p a day, so it’s easy to see why this would upset people.”

Obua’s two-storey house sits on top of a hill and looks on to a lake in the suburb of Munyonyo.

Sources claim the footballer is having expensive fittings and furnishings shipped from Italy.

It is thought that Obua’s mother is supervising construction after her son bought the one-acre plot for £65,000 three years ago. It is due to be completed by April.

Friends claim Obua plans to buy a yacht and dock at the nearby Munyonyo Cape pier. They said he has also bought two homes in Edinburgh.

Obua has vowed never to play for his country after a row with Scots manager Bobby Williamson, a former Hibs boss.

In October, he quit the Uganda squad the day before their final African Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya in a dispute over bonus payments.

Obua and Williamson had a disagreement when Obua missed a meeting with the Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni, who was addressing the players prior to the crucial match, which ended 0-0, denying Uganda a historic place in the finals.

News of the mansion has made headlines across the country this week.

But the star is no stranger to hitting the front page in Uganda, often being compared to Manchester City bad boy Mario Balotelli.

He has made headlines in Uganda for spending a fortune on drinks at private clubs and being spotted with mystery girls.

Obua is thought to be one of the Hearts players still waiting for his December wages to be paid.