Police have arrested two additional suspects in connection with the mob killing of national rugby player Sydney Gongodyo, bringing the total number of people in custody to 10 as investigations continue.
The latest suspects, identified as Mugwiisa Obed and Owino Joseph, were arrested following ongoing inquiries into the fatal attack on the 27-year-old Rugby Cranes forward in Kampala’s Bukoto suburb on 5 June.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachel Kawala said Mugwiisa was captured in video footage wearing a yellow T-shirt and carrying a large log during the assault.
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“During interrogation, [Mugwiisa] 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,” Ms Kawala said.
The pair joins eight other suspects already in custody: Ssebagala Noordin, Ayebazibwe Roden, Namukose Juliet, Elly Mondoni, Herbert Twinomujuni, Katsigazi Perigrino, Darlious Tayebwa and Hannington Tugume.
Investigators say Gongodyo, who also studied at Makerere University, was attacked by a crowd after being accused of stealing a woman’s handbag. He was later rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
The death of the player, who featured for the Uganda national rugby union team and Black Pirates Rugby Club, prompted the postponement of Uganda Rugby Premiership semi-final matches.
Uganda Rugby Union president Godwin Kayangwe described Gongodyo’s death as a “monumental loss to the sport”.
Police said efforts to identify and arrest more suspects are ongoing.
“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,” Ms Kawala said.
Authorities have warned that participation in mob justice can attract serious criminal charges, including murder.
The incident has renewed concern about vigilante violence in Uganda. According to the Uganda Police Force’s 2025 crime report, mob action accounted for 950 murder cases, representing nearly a quarter of all homicides recorded during the year.
Police say such attacks are often fuelled by false accusations, public anger and mistrust in the justice system, but stress that suspected offenders should be handed over to law enforcement rather than subjected to violence.
Investigations into Gongodyo’s death remain ongoing.
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