The City Hall Court in Kampala remanded four men to Luzira prison in connection with the killing of Uganda Rugby Cranes player Sydney Gyabi Gongodyo. They were charged with murder. They include Obed Mugwisa, 39, a boda boda rider and resident of Nsimbiziwome Zone in Nakawa Division; Elly Mondoni, 33, a delivery agent with Medicinal Pharmacy and resident of Luzira Portbell Road in Nakawa Division; Joseph Owino, 30, a private security guard and resident of Bukoto in Nakawa Division; and Henry Kabugo, 21, a boda boda rider and resident of Bukoto Old Kira Zone in Nakawa Division.
The four appeared before Senior Grade One Magistrate Edgar Karakire on Friday. The court heard that the accused and others still at large allegedly murdered Sydney Gyabi Gongodyo on June 5, 2026, at Upper Naguru East Road in Kampala District. According to the charge sheet sanctioned under Kira Road Police Station Criminal Reference Book (CRB) 619/2026, the accused are charged with murder contrary to Sections 171 and 172 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128.
Because the offence is capital in nature, Magistrate Karakire did not allow the accused to enter pleas. He only read and explained the charge against them, noting that the City Hall Court lacks jurisdiction to try capital offences. Such cases, which attract a maximum death penalty upon conviction, can only be heard by the High Court. The prosecution, led by Grace Akite, informed the court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing.
She noted that they have other suspects still on the run, and the police are searching for them. She then prayed for an adjournment to enable the police to wind up their investigations and also arrest other suspects. The Prime suspect, Mugwisa, asked the Magistrate if there was a timeframe for mentioning this case.
He was then informed that he would be brought to City Hall for mention, and when the investigations are complete, the accused will be sent to the High Court for trial. Karakire remanded the four accused to Luzira Prison until June 23rd, when they will return to Court for an update on the progress of investigations.
Following the death of Gongondyo on June 5th, the police at Kira Road Police Station launched investigations to ascertain the circumstances under which his life was cut short. He was pronounced dead at Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he had been rushed hours after being beaten.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased was allegedly subjected to mob action by members of the public who accused him of snatching a woman’s handbag. During interrogation, he 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, according to the police.
Police further revealed that the garment was subsequently recovered as part of the ongoing investigations. He was picked up from his hideout in Nsiimbiziwoome in Ntinda, Kampala. Initially, ten people were arrested over the murder of the Black Pirates Player. However, only four of these have been brought to court. The maximum sentence for murder is the death penalty-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
