A popular Somali football referee, who oversaw regional and international games, was shot dead near his home in the capital, Mogadishu, as he left a mosque, the Voice of America (VOA) reported.
Two men armed with pistols shot Osman Jama Dirah several times in the Wardhigley district of Mogadishu, former Somali national team member Anas Ali Mohamud reported.
Mohamud said he saw the killers flee the scene. He said when Somali security forces arrived on the scene they were unable to find the culprits.
The motive for Dirah's murder was not clear and so far no-one has claimed responsibility.
The murdered man contributed to Somali soccer for more than 25 years.
Meanwhile, in other Somali-related security news the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) General David Muhoozi arrived in Somalia on Tuesday for an official visit.
His visit to Somalia on a routine assessment mission was his first since his appointment as CDF, the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) reported. He was accompanied to Somalia by senior UPDF officials.
During his visit, he interacted with troops, inspected their bases and engaged with several leaders.
General Muhoozi met with AMISOM Force Commander Lieutenant-General Osman Noor Soubagleh and the AU Special Representative for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira.
They discussed the current security situation in Somalia and measures being undertaken to support the peace process. Madeira lauded Uganda's contribution to the AU Mission, saying the troops had made a major contribution to Somalia's stabilisation.
In his remarks, the Uganda CDF paid tribute to the troops who bravely fought Al Shabaab militants in a recent ambush in Goryowein, in Lower Shabelle region.
"I appeal to them to stand firm, to stay the course knowing too well that we can't be derailed by what happened," Muhoozi said.
"We are with them in thought and those that lay their lives down here, don't do so in vain."
Uganda was the first country to deploy troops in Somalia in March 2007 and contributes 6000 troops to the AU Mission.'.
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