Five more arrested over rugby player Gongodyo’s death

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Police have arrested five additional suspects in connection with the death of Stanbic Black Pirates rugby player Sydney Gongodyo, who was allegedly assaulted by a mob in Ntinda, a suburb of Kampala.

This brings the total number of suspects in custody to eight as investigations into the suspected mob killing continue.

The suspects include Noordin Ssebagala, Roden Ayebazibwe, Juliet Namukose, Elly Mondoni, Herbert Twinomujuni, Perigrino Katsigazi, Darlious Tayebwa and Hannington Tugume.

According to police, Gongodyo was attacked on June 5, 2026, at around 2:00 pm after being accused of snatching a woman’s handbag. The incident was recorded at Kira Road Police Station as a case of murder by mob action.

Gongodyo, a former Makerere University student and resident of Najjera in Kira Municipality, Wakiso district, sustained severe injuries during the assault and was rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital by police officers. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala confirmed the additional arrests on Tuesday, June 9, and said efforts to identify, trace and apprehend other individuals suspected to have participated in the attack are ongoing.

“The Police remain committed to ensuring that all those responsible are brought to justice,” Kawala said.

She added that further updates would be provided as the investigations progress.

According to Gongodyo’s family, the rugby player was mistaken for a thief during the incident.

His father said a suspected thief snatched a woman’s handbag and escaped on a waiting boda boda motorcycle.

As members of the public responded to the victim’s alarm, they allegedly turned on Gongodyo, accusing him of involvement in the theft. Despite his pleas of innocence, he was reportedly beaten and later stabbed by the mob.

Gongodyo will be laid to rest on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Buweri town council in Budadiri County, Sironko district.