Sydney Gongodyo in a helpless trance after being attacked
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The investigation into the brutal mob killing of Ugandan rugby player Sydney Gongodyo has intensified following the arrest of an eleventh suspect, as police continue efforts to bring all those responsible for the shocking incident to justice.
The latest suspect, 21-year-old boda boda rider Kabugo Henry, was arrested during a joint operation conducted by police and boda boda leaders from Nakawa Division. According to investigators, Kabugo was tracked down in the Wandegeya area of Kampala after being identified in video footage recorded at the scene of the attack.
Police said the suspect, a resident of Old Kira–Kisenyi, was captured on camera wearing a blue reflector jacket while concealing his face with a black hood. The footage became a key piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation, enabling authorities to trace and apprehend him. His arrest brings the total number of suspects currently in custody to eleven.
The victim, 27-year-old Gongodyo, was one of Uganda’s most promising rugby talents. He represented the national rugby team, the Rugby Cranes, and played club rugby for Stanbic Black Pirates. His death has sent shockwaves through Uganda’s sporting community, with teammates, supporters and sports officials mourning the loss of a player widely regarded for his talent, dedication and commitment to the game.
According to police, the incident occurred on June 5, 2026, at approximately 2:00 p.m. in Masulira Zone, Bukoto, a suburb of Kampala. Preliminary investigations indicate that Gongodyo was attacked by a group of angry boda boda riders and members of the public who falsely accused him of snatching a woman’s handbag.
What followed was a violent assault that investigators have described as a clear case of mob justice. Witnesses and video evidence show the victim being subjected to a severe beating by multiple individuals before police officers arrived at the scene.
Officers managed to rescue Gongodyo while he was critically injured and rushed him to Mulago National Referral Hospital for emergency treatment. Despite efforts by medical personnel to save his life, he succumbed to his injuries later that evening at around 7:00 p.m.
The case has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights advocates, sports stakeholders and law enforcement officials, who have warned against the dangers of mob justice and the devastating consequences that often result from unverified accusations.
Investigators have relied heavily on video footage collected from the scene to identify suspects involved in the attack. Among those previously arrested is Obed Mugwiisa, who was allegedly captured on camera carrying a heavy log and wearing a yellow T-shirt during the assault.
Police said Mugwiisa’s arrest led to the recovery of the yellow garment, which was traced to a local laundry after he reportedly directed investigators to its location. Authorities believe the evidence could help strengthen the prosecution’s case as they continue to build a comprehensive account of the events that led to Gongodyo’s death.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala said security agencies are continuing to analyse video evidence and pursue additional suspects believed to have participated in the attack. She commended members of the boda boda community for cooperating with investigators and providing information that has led to several arrests.
Police have reiterated that efforts to identify and apprehend all individuals captured in the footage remain ongoing. Authorities maintain that no participant in the attack will be spared from prosecution, regardless of their role.
The Uganda Police Force has also used the case to renew calls for the public to reject mob justice and instead report suspected criminal activity to law enforcement agencies. Officials stressed that allegations of wrongdoing should be investigated through legal channels rather than through acts of violence.
As investigations continue, the death of Sydney Gongodyo remains a painful reminder of the dangers posed by vigilantism and mob action. For his family, friends, teammates and the wider rugby fraternity, the pursuit of justice now represents the next chapter in a tragedy that has robbed Uganda of one of its brightest sporting talents.
