KAMPALA — Police have arrested five more suspects in connection with the killing of national rugby player Sydney Gongodyo, bringing the total number of people in custody to eight as investigations into the alleged mob attack continue.
Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala confirmed the latest arrests on Monday, saying investigators are still pursuing other individuals believed to have participated in the incident.
“Five additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the death of Sydney Gongodyo, a professional rugby player, following an incident that occurred on 5 June 2026. This brings the total number of suspects in custody to eight as investigations into the alleged mob killing continue,” Kawala said.
The newly arrested suspects were identified as Ssebagala Noordin, Ayebazibwe Roden, Namukose Juliet, Mondoni Elly and Twinomujuni Herbert.
They join three other suspects already in police custody: Katsigazi Perigrino, Tayebwa Darlious and Tugume Hannington.
Kawala said police are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend more people linked to the attack.
“Efforts are ongoing to identify, trace, and apprehend other individuals believed to have participated in the incident,” she said.
Gongodyo, a national Rugby Sevens player and member of Stanbic Black Pirates Rugby Club, died on June 5 after he was reportedly attacked by a mob in Bukoto, a Kampala suburb.
According to police and eyewitness accounts, the rugby player was accused by residents of being involved in a suspected theft before he was assaulted by a crowd. He sustained severe injuries during the attack and later died.
His death sent shockwaves through Uganda’s sporting fraternity, with fellow players, sports administrators and human rights activists condemning the incident and demanding justice.
The Uganda Rugby Union described Gongodyo as a talented athlete whose career and life were cut short by a senseless act of violence.
The killing also drew condemnation from the Uganda Law Society (ULS), which linked the incident to growing lawlessness and declining confidence in the justice system.
In a statement issued on Monday, ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde described Gongodyo’s death as “a painful reminder of the growing dangers of mob violence in a society increasingly losing faith in lawful processes.”
Police have urged members of the public to report suspected criminals to law enforcement authorities rather than resorting to mob justice.
Mob killings remain a recurring challenge in several parts of Uganda, with rights groups warning that such attacks often deny suspects their constitutional right to a fair hearing and frequently result in the deaths of innocent people.
Investigations into Gongodyo’s killing are ongoing.
