The Ugandan rugby fraternity is mourning the death of Rugby Cranes and Stanbic Black Pirates forward Sidney Gongodyo, whose passing was confirmed by the Uganda Rugby Union on Friday evening.
In a statement, the union described the news as a dark day for Uganda Rugby and extended condolences to his family, friends, teammates and loved ones.
Gongodyo, a former student of King’s College Budo and Makerere University, had established himself as one of the country’s promising forwards. He earned his Rugby Cranes Test debut during the 2023 Victoria Cup in Kampala and went on to become a dependable figure in the national team setup.
Known for his versatility, Gongodyo featured across the back row and at lock, combining powerful ball carrying with aggressive defence and a strong work ethic that earned him admiration from coaches and teammates alike.
His final appearance came on May 30 when he represented Black Pirates in the Enterprise Cup final against Kabras Sugar in Nairobi. Days later, he had been named on the club’s squad poster ahead of a Uganda Rugby Premiership playoff clash against Heathens.
Following news of his death, tributes flooded in from across the rugby community, with players, clubs, supporters and administrators remembering him as a committed teammate and dedicated servant of the game.
The exact circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.
As a mark of respect, the Uganda Rugby Premiership semifinal between Black Pirates and Heathens has been postponed. Moments of silence will also be observed at upcoming rugby fixtures in honour of the fallen forward.
