News
Eleventh suspect arrested over murder of rugby player Gongodyo
“Preliminary investigations indicate that Kabugo was captured in video footage of the incident wearing a blue reflector jacket and concealing his face with a black hood. The suspect was arrested in the Wandegeya area of Kampala in a joint operation involving Police and boda boda leadership from Nakawa division.”
A photo collage of the suspect, Henry Kabugo, in Police custody and the victim, Sydney Gongodyo, a professional rugby player who was lynched. (Credit: Police)
By: Charles Etukuri, Journalist @New Vision
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Police on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, announced the arrest of an additional suspect in connection with the death of Sydney Gongodyo, a professional rugby player, following an incident that occurred on June 5, 2026.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala identified the suspect as Henry Kabugo, a 21-year-old boda boda rider and resident of Old Kira-Kisenyi.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that Kabugo was captured in video footage of the incident wearing a blue reflector jacket and concealing his face with a black hood. The suspect was arrested in the Wandegeya area of Kampala in a joint operation involving Police and boda boda leadership from Nakawa division,” Kawala said.
She said the latest arrest brings the total number of suspects currently in custody to 11 as investigations into the alleged mob killing continue.
“We commend the boda boda community for its cooperation and support in assisting law enforcement efforts to identify and apprehend those involved in this criminal act. Efforts remain ongoing to identify, trace, and arrest other individuals believed to have participated in the incident,” she stated.
Kawala said the Uganda Police Force remains committed to ensuring that all those responsible are held accountable and brought before the courts of law.
Police on June 9, 2026, confirmed the arrest of two additional key suspects, Obed Mugwiisa, a boda boda rider, and Joseph Owino, a security guard, who were captured in a viral video allegedly assaulting Makerere University student and prominent rugby player Sydney Gongodyo.
“Two additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the death of Gongodyo. The suspects have been identified as Mugwiisa and Owino, a security guard. Mugwiisa was captured in video footage wearing a yellow T-shirt and carrying a large log during the incident. During interrogation, he led investigators to a local laundry (dobbi) where he had taken the yellow T-shirt he was seen wearing on the day of the attack. The garment was subsequently recovered as part of the ongoing investigations,” Kawala said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kawala said five additional suspects had been arrested in connection with Gongodyo's death.
“We commend the boda boda community for its cooperation and support in assisting law enforcement efforts to identify and apprehend those involved in this criminal act. Efforts remain ongoing to identify, trace, and arrest other individuals believed to have participated in the incident,” she stated.
Kawala said the Uganda Police Force remains committed to ensuring that all those responsible are held accountable and brought before the courts of law.
Police on June 9, 2026, confirmed the arrest of two additional key suspects, Obed Mugwiisa, a boda boda rider, and Joseph Owino, a security guard, who were captured in a viral video allegedly assaulting Makerere University student and prominent rugby player Sydney Gongodyo.
“Two additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the death of Gongodyo. The suspects have been identified as Mugwiisa and Owino, a security guard. Mugwiisa was captured in video footage wearing a yellow T-shirt and carrying a large log during the incident. During interrogation, he led investigators to a local laundry (dobbi) where he had taken the yellow T-shirt he was seen wearing on the day of the attack. The garment was subsequently recovered as part of the ongoing investigations,” Kawala said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kawala said five additional suspects had been arrested in connection with Gongodyo's death.
She identified some of the suspects as Noordin Ssebagala, Roden Ayebazibwe, Juliet Namukose, Elly Mondoni, Herbert Twinomujuni, Perigrino Katsigazi, Darlious Tayebwa and Hannington Tugume.
Kawala said preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased was allegedly subjected to mob justice by members of the public who accused him of snatching a woman's handbag.
“However, the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain under active investigation,” she said.
Kawala noted that police officers responded promptly to the scene and rushed the victim to Mulago National Referral Hospital for emergency medical treatment. He later succumbed to his injuries on June 5, 2026, at approximately 7:00 pm.
Minister speaks out
State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang commended security agencies for swiftly arresting the suspects.
“I thank Police for the work done so far to apprehend some of the perpetrators in the murder of Sydney. We, however, ask for much more in ensuring that investigations are done in earnest and justice is swiftly served. Mob justice should never be an option in our communities, and I strongly condemn the act of taking the law into our own hands. Sydney didn't deserve to meet death in this gruesome manner,” Ogwang said.
He extended his condolences to Uganda Rugby, the family of the deceased and the wider sports fraternity.
Gongodyo was buried on June 9, 2026, at Buweri village in Budadiri, Sironko district.
Kawala said preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased was allegedly subjected to mob justice by members of the public who accused him of snatching a woman's handbag.
“However, the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain under active investigation,” she said.
Kawala noted that police officers responded promptly to the scene and rushed the victim to Mulago National Referral Hospital for emergency medical treatment. He later succumbed to his injuries on June 5, 2026, at approximately 7:00 pm.
Minister speaks out
State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang commended security agencies for swiftly arresting the suspects.
“I thank Police for the work done so far to apprehend some of the perpetrators in the murder of Sydney. We, however, ask for much more in ensuring that investigations are done in earnest and justice is swiftly served. Mob justice should never be an option in our communities, and I strongly condemn the act of taking the law into our own hands. Sydney didn't deserve to meet death in this gruesome manner,” Ogwang said.
He extended his condolences to Uganda Rugby, the family of the deceased and the wider sports fraternity.
Gongodyo was buried on June 9, 2026, at Buweri village in Budadiri, Sironko district.