Four Remanded Over Rugby Star Sydney Gongodyo’s Mob Killing

Four men have been remanded to Luzira Prison after appearing before the Kampala City Hall Court in connection with the killing of Uganda Rugby Cranes player Sydney Gyabi Gongodyo.

The accused were identified as Obed Mugwisa, 39, a boda boda rider from Nsimbiziwome Zone in Nakawa Division; Elly Mondoni, 33, a delivery agent with Medicinal Pharmacy and resident of Luzira’s Port Bell Road; Joseph Owino, 30, a private security guard from Bukoto; and Henry Kabugo, 21, a boda boda rider from Old Kira Zone in Bukoto.

The suspects appeared before Senior Grade One Magistrate Edgar Karakire on Friday and were charged with murder. Prosecutors allege that the four, together with others still at large, unlawfully caused the death of Gongodyo on June 5 along Upper Naguru East Road in Kampala.

As murder is a capital offence under Ugandan law, the accused were not allowed to enter pleas. Magistrate Karakire informed them that his court lacks jurisdiction to try such cases, which are handled exclusively by the High Court.

State prosecutor Grace Akite told the court that investigations were still ongoing and that police were pursuing additional suspects believed to have participated in the attack.

“The investigations are still ongoing,” Akite said, requesting more time for detectives to complete inquiries and effect further arrests.

During the proceedings, Mugwisa, whom police describe as a key suspect in the case, asked the court how long the matter would take. He was informed that the case would continue returning to the magistrate’s court for mention as investigations proceed before eventual committal to the High Court.

Magistrate Karakire subsequently remanded the four accused to Luzira Prison until June 23, when the case will return to court for an update on investigations.

Police launched investigations after Gongodyo died from injuries sustained during an assault in Kampala. The national rugby player was pronounced dead at Mulago National Referral Hospital after being rushed there for treatment.

Preliminary findings indicate that Gongodyo was allegedly attacked by a mob after being accused of snatching a woman’s handbag.

Investigators said Mugwisa later led detectives to a local laundry where he had allegedly taken a yellow T-shirt he was wearing on the day of the incident.

“The garment was recovered and has since been added to the evidence collected by investigators,” police said.

Authorities said Mugwisa was arrested from a hideout in Nsimbiziwome, Ntinda.

Ten people were initially arrested in connection with the killing, but only four have so far been formally charged and presented before court. Police say efforts to trace and arrest other suspects are continuing.

Under Ugandan law, murder carries a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.