Three arrested over death of rugby player Sydney Gongodyo

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Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the death of a Stanbic Black Pirates rugby player, Sydney Gongodyo, who died after allegedly being assaulted by a mob in Kampala.

The suspects, identified as Noordin Ssebagala, Roden Ayebazibwe and Juliet Namukose, are currently being held at Kira Road Police Station as investigations into the incident continue.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala, preliminary investigations indicate that Gongodyo was allegedly attacked by members of the public who accused him of snatching a woman's handbag.

"The exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain under active investigation," Kawala said in a statement issued on Saturday night.

Police said the incident occurred on June 5, 2026, at around 2:00 pm, and has been registered at Kira Road Police Station as murder by mob action.

Officers responded to the scene and rushed Gongodyo to Mulago National Referral Hospital for emergency treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries at about 7:00 pm the same day.

The arrest of the three suspects marks the first major breakthrough in the investigation into the player's death, which has sparked concern among members of the sporting community and renewed debate about mob justice.

Police have not yet disclosed the specific role each suspect allegedly played in the incident, saying investigations are ongoing.

Kawala said the suspects are assisting detectives as they work to establish what transpired and whether additional individuals were involved in the attack.

"We strongly condemn all forms of mob justice and reiterate our call to members of the public to report suspected criminal activities to the relevant authorities rather than taking the law into their own hands," she said.

She noted that mob action undermines the rule of law and can result in the loss of innocent lives.

Gongodyo, 27, has also been a student at Makerere University and a resident of Najjera in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District. He was a player for Stanbic Black Pirates Rugby Club and was widely known within Uganda's rugby fraternity.

Burial Arrangements

Meanwhile, funeral arrangements for Gongodyo have been announced by A Plus Funeral Management on behalf of his family.

According to the programme, body viewing will be held on Sunday, June 7, at Kings Park Arena in Bweyogerere from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. The body will thereafter be transported to Senior Quarters on Bungokho Road in Mbale City, where a vigil will commence at 6:00 pm.

On Monday, June 8, a funeral service will be held at Senior Quarters starting at 11:00 am, after which the body will proceed to Sironko District for an overnight vigil scheduled for 6:00 pm.

Gongodyo will be laid to rest on Tuesday, June 9, at Buweri Town Council in Budadiri County, Sironko District.

A Plus Funeral Management said the arrangements are being conducted on behalf of the family of James Gyabi and Nancy Kakai of Mbale City.