KAMPALA — Ugandan rugby player and Makerere University student Sydney Gongodyo has died after being attacked by a mob in Kampala, police have confirmed.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police, the incident occurred on June 5, 2026, at around 2:00 p.m. in Upper Naguru Community Village, Bukoto I Parish, Nakawa Division.
Police identified the deceased as Sydney Gongodyo, 27, a student at Makerere University and a resident of Najjera in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District. He was also a player for the national rugby team, the Uganda Rugby Cranes, and a star player for Stanbic Black Pirates.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Racheal Kawala said the victim was subjected to mob justice under circumstances that are still being investigated.
“Police at Kira Road Police Station have registered a case of murder by mob action that occurred on 5th June 2026 at approximately 2:00 PM in Upper Naguru Community Village, Bukoto I Parish, Nakawa Division, Kampala District,” SP Kawala said.
She added that police officers responded to the scene and rushed Gongodyo to Mulago National Referral Hospital for emergency treatment.
“Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital on 5th June 2026 at approximately 7:00 PM,” she said.
Police have not yet disclosed what triggered the attack or the events leading up to it.
“Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the suspects involved so that they can be brought to justice,” SP Kawala added.
News of Gongodyo’s death sent shockwaves through Uganda’s rugby fraternity, where he was widely regarded as one of the country’s talented players. Tributes poured in from teammates, fans, and sports administrators who remembered him for his commitment to the game and contributions to Ugandan rugby.
The incident has also reignited concerns over the growing cases of mob justice in Uganda, with human rights advocates and law enforcement agencies repeatedly warning against taking the law into private hands.
Police have appealed to members of the public with information about the attack to cooperate with investigators as efforts continue to identify those responsible.
Further details are expected as investigations progress.
