Uganda Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the death of rugby player Sydney Gongodyo following an incident that occurred on Friday.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Kawala Racheal, the suspects, identified as Noordin Ssebagala, Roden Ayebazibwe and Juliet Namukose, are currently in custody and assisting investigators.
“Police at Kira Road Police Station are holding three suspects in connection with the death of Sydney Gongodyo, a professional rugby player, following an incident that occurred on 5 June 2026,” Kawala said.
She explained that preliminary investigations indicate Gongodyo was allegedly assaulted by members of the public who accused him of stealing a woman’s handbag. However, police stressed that the exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation.
Kawala noted that officers responded to the scene and rushed Gongodyo to Mulago National Referral Hospital for emergency treatment, but he later succumbed to his injuries at about 7 p.m. on the same day.
“The three suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations,” she added.
Kawala also condemned mob justice, urging the public to report suspected criminal activity to law enforcement agencies instead of taking matters into their own hands.
“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. Mob action undermines the rule of law and can result in the loss of innocent lives,” she said.
Police said more information will be released as investigations continue.
