Family members, friends, teammates and members of Uganda’s rugby community are gathered in Sironko District today to pay their final respects to Uganda Rugby Cranes and Stanbic Black Pirates player Sydney Gongodyo, who will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Buweri Town Council, Budadiri County.
The burial comes four days after the 27-year-old rugby star died following a mob attack in Kampala on June 5. Gongodyo was reportedly mistaken for a thief and assaulted by a crowd in the Ntinda and Nakawa area before being rushed to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
His death has sparked widespread grief and anger across the country, with fellow players, sports administrators and supporters calling for justice while condemning mob violence.
Gongodyo’s final journey began over the weekend with a body viewing held on Sunday at Kings Park Arena in Bweyogerere, the home of Stanbic Black Pirates. Teammates, coaches, supporters and members of the rugby fraternity turned up to honour a player remembered for his commitment, discipline and passion for the sport.
A funeral service was held on Monday before the body was transported to Sironko District for an overnight vigil ahead of today’s burial.
The former Makerere University student was regarded as one of Uganda’s promising rugby talents and had represented both his club and the national team. Tributes have continued to pour in from across the sporting community, with many describing his death as a tragic loss to Ugandan rugby.
