Kampala, Uganda: Police are holding in custody eight suspects arrested in connection with the brutal mob killing of Rugby Cranes player Sydney Gongodyo as security forces intensify a manhunt for more individuals believed to have participated in the deadly attack that has shocked the nation and reignited concerns over mob justice.
Addressing journalists at Police Headquarters in Naguru on Monday, Uganda Police Force spokesperson ACP Rusoke Kituuma confirmed that the number of arrests had risen from three to eight as detectives continue reviewing evidence and identifying additional suspects.
The deceased, Sidney Gongodyo, 27, was a professional rugby player, a member of the national Rugby Cranes team, and a player for Stanbic Black Pirates Rugby Club. He was also a resident of Busibanti Zone in Najjera, Wakiso District.
According to police, the incident occurred on June 5 at approximately 2:00 pm in Nakawa Division, Kampala, where Gongodyo was allegedly attacked by a group of boda boda riders and members of the public who suspected him of theft.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the situation quickly escalated into a violent mob assault that left the athlete critically injured.
Police officers responded to reports from the scene and found Gongodyo still alive despite sustaining severe injuries. He was rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital for emergency treatment but later succumbed to his injuries.
“A team from KMP East visited and documented the scene. Three suspects were initially arrested to assist with investigations. More arrests have since been made and the number now stands at eight,” ACP Kituuma said.
The killing has sparked outrage within Uganda’s sporting community, with fellow players, coaches, sports administrators and fans mourning a player widely regarded as one of the country’s emerging rugby talents.
Gongodyo’s death has also intensified calls for stronger action against mob justice, which police say continues to account for a significant proportion of murders reported across the country.
ACP Kituuma revealed that Uganda registered 950 cases of murder by mob action in 2025 alone, representing 22.4 percent of the 4,238 homicide cases recorded during the year.
The figures mean that nearly one in every four homicide victims in Uganda last year died at the hands of mobs rather than through other forms of criminal violence.
“The Uganda Police Force strongly condemns all acts of mob justice. Such actions are unlawful, undermine the rule of law and often result in the loss of innocent lives,” Kituuma said.
He warned that participation in mob attacks constitutes a serious criminal offence and can attract charges ranging from assault to murder.
Police also cautioned members of the public against joining lynch mobs, noting that such situations are often exploited by individuals seeking revenge or settling personal disputes under the cover of public anger.
“We urge members of the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands under any circumstances. Where a suspect is apprehended, they should be handed over to the nearest police station or relevant authorities without being subjected to torture, assault or any other form of harm,” Kituuma added.
The police spokesperson noted that the force has repeatedly warned the public against mob justice through official communication channels, including public advisories issued in August and November 2024.
Despite those warnings, incidents have continued to occur across the country.
Police cited the December 2024 killing of Jacob Akankwasa, an employee of Kyambogo University, who was murdered by a mob near the Catholic Shrine in Namugongo, as another example of the growing challenge.
The death of Gongodyo has once again brought national attention to the dangers of instant justice and the devastating consequences that arise when suspicion replaces due process.
Human rights advocates have long argued that mob justice thrives where public trust in formal justice systems is weak, but warn that innocent people are often among its victims.
As investigations continue, police say efforts are underway to identify and apprehend all those involved in the attack.
For many in Uganda’s rugby fraternity, however, the arrests offer little comfort following the loss of a talented athlete whose promising career was cut short by a crowd that acted before the facts could be established.
Gongodyo will be laid to rest in Sironko District, where family, friends, teammates and members of the wider sporting community continue to mourn his untimely death.
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