Gongodyo murder: Lawyers condemn lawlessness

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The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has paid tribute to fallen Stanbic Black Pirates rugby player Sydney Gongodyo, describing his death as a reminder of the growing threat of mob violence and the weakening respect for the rule of law in Uganda.

In a statement issued on June 8, ULS president Isaac Ssemakadde called on the Uganda Rugby Union and the public to honour Gongodyo’s memory by standing against lawlessness and promoting justice.

“We condemn the mob violence that claimed Gongodyo’s life,” Ssemakadde stated.

According to the lawyers’ body, Gongodyo’s death should serve as a rallying point for both the legal and rugby communities to unite in the fight against mob justice and other forms of lawlessness.

The ULS said it hopes the tragedy will strengthen the resolve of Ugandans to build a society where the law is respected, and every citizen enjoys equal protection, so that no family suffers a similar loss.

“May his memory inspire us to lead by example in defending justice, constitutionalism and the rule of law,” Ssemakadde observed.

Police have so far arrested eight people in connection with Gongodyo’s death. The rugby player was allegedly assaulted by a mob in Ntinda, a Kampala suburb, on June 5, 2026, after being accused of snatching a woman’s handbag.

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

The ULS condemned the killing as senseless and warned that it reflects a disturbing trend in which citizens lose confidence in lawful processes and institutions of justice.

The law society attributed the rise in mob violence to several factors, including state-backed violence, weakening judicial institutions, declining civic education and what it described as the withdrawal of influential citizens from efforts to promote good governance.

Ssemakadde noted that when public institutions fail to deliver justice effectively, frustrated citizens may resort to taking the law into their own hands.

The lawyers’ body also expressed concern that the rule of law received little attention in President Yoweri Museveni’s State of the Nation Address delivered on June 4, 2026, despite continuing incidents of excessive use of force by security agencies and a growing culture of impunity.

According to the ULS, such actions risk sending a message that power supersedes the law, thereby undermining public confidence in legal institutions.

The society called for a national conversation on the root causes of mob violence and the measures needed to strengthen respect for the rule of law across the country.

KCCA mourns Gongodyo

On its official website, meanwhile, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Football Club on June 9 said it had become aware of social media footage allegedly showing an individual wearing the club’s jersey taking part in the mob attack that led to Gongodyo’s death.

The club condemned the violence, saying the individual’s action does not reflect the values, sportsmanship or discipline that KCCA Football Club upholds.

“The matter is under investigations, and the club is cooperating with the Uganda Police to ensure justice is served,” KCCA Football Club stated.