Police confirm 10 suspects in custody over rugby player Gongodyo murder

KAMPALA - Security agencies on Tuesday (June 9) confirmed the arrest of two more key suspects, Obed Mugwiisa, a boda boda rider, and Joseph Owino, a security guard captured in a viral video allegedly assaulting Makerere University student and rugby player Sydney Gongodyo to death.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala confirmed the arrests and said the total number of suspects in custody now stands at 10.

“Two additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the death of Sydney Gongodyo, a professional rugby player, following an incident that occurred on June, 5, 2026. 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.

She added that efforts are ongoing to identify, trace and apprehend other individuals believed to have participated in the incident.

“We remain committed to ensuring that all those responsible for this criminal act are held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with the law,” she noted.

Earlier, Kawala had said five additional suspects had been arrested in connection with the death of Gongodyo, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to eight as investigations into the alleged mob killing continued.

She identified some of the earlier 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 action 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.

She 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 p.m.

Minister speaks out

Sports state minister 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 heartfelt condolences to the Uganda Rugby fraternity, the family and the wider sports community in Uganda.

Gongodyo was laid to rest on Tuesday in Buweri village, Budadiri, Sironko district.