Sydney Gongodyo, the Uganda Rugby Cranes and Stanbic Black Pirates player who was killed in a mob attack last week, was laid to rest on Tuesday at his ancestral home in Buweri Town Council, Budadiri County, Sironko District.
The burial coincided with Uganda’s Heroes’ Day celebrations and drew hundreds of mourners, including family members, teammates, rugby officials, friends and local leaders, who gathered to pay their final respects to the 27-year-old.
Gongodyo was buried at about 6:00 PM following an emotional ceremony that came after an overnight vigil in Sironko. His body had been transported from Kampala on Monday after a funeral service attended by members of Uganda’s rugby fraternity.
The former Rugby Cranes international died on June 5 after being attacked by a mob in the Ntinda. According to family members, he was mistakenly identified as a thief after a woman raised an alarm over a stolen handbag. He later succumbed to injuries sustained during the assault.
As mourners gathered in Sironko for his final send-off, investigators announced a fresh breakthrough in the case with the arrest of Mugwisa Obed, one of the suspects allegedly involved in the attack. The suspect was reportedly identified in videos that circulated widely on social media following the incident.
The arrest was welcomed by members of the rugby community, many of whom have been calling for those responsible for Gongodyo’s death to be brought to justice.
Emotional scenes unfolded throughout the burial as family members, teammates and friends shared memories of a player they described as talented, disciplined and humble.
The Uganda Rugby Union and the Black Pirates fraternity have spent the past several days honouring Gongodyo’s legacy, describing him as a dedicated player who rose through the ranks through hard work and commitment. In a symbolic gesture, Black Pirates retired his iconic No. 7 jersey in recognition of his contribution to the club.
