Career
Having arrived at Hearts as a left wing-back, Obua was primarily used as a left-sided midfield player, although he also played a number of games as a striker. Born in Kampala, Uganda, Obua played for a number of clubs in his native Uganda including Police Football Club. He also spent some time in Mauritius and in the United States, where he played for Raleigh and Wilmington Hammerheads whilst attending college. Obua was spotted by Kaizer Chiefs while playing for the Uganda national team against South Africa and was offered a 3-year contract.
He scored his first Chiefs goal in the Soweto derby on 29 October 2005.
After expiry of his Kaizer Chiefs contract he was available on a free transfer in the summer of 2008. He landed a trial with Premier League club West Ham United, before agreeing a deal with Scottish Premier League club Heart of Midlothian.
On 6 August, it was revealed that Obua was granted a work permit and had signed for Hearts. He found life in the SPL difficult in his first two seasons, although he did see an improvement in his form when Jim Jefferies replaced his former national manager Csaba László.
In the absence of a target man, Obua has often played in the unfamiliar role of striker.
Obua was sent off at Hearts" home match against Celtic on 11 May 2011 at an eventual 3–0 loss. He scored the opening goal of the 2011-2012 SPL season against Rangers at Ibrox with a header from a corner. Obua was told in April 2012 that his contract with Hearts would not be extended.
On 25 March 2015 Obua retired from football, but has trained with Kampala club Kampala Capital City Authority Football Club to keep up his fitness.
On 3 June 2015, former Heart of Midlothian star Obua has cheated death in a horrifying car smash. David Obua began playing for the Cranes during his time at Super League club Express Football Club. On 10 October 2011, he reportedly refused to meet with the President of the Republic of Uganda in their training camp and also had not been in good terms with the FUFA president, he vowed never to play for Uganda again, at least while president Lawrence Mulindwa and head coach Bobby Williamson were involved with the setup.