Staff
By BigEyeUg Team
Four men accused of murdering national rugby player Sydney Gongodyo Gyabi have been further remanded to Luzira Prison as police continue investigations into the high-profile case.
The suspects appeared before the City Hall Court on Monday for the mention of their case. However, proceedings could not advance after the prosecution informed Grade One Magistrate Edgar Karakire that investigations were still ongoing and that more suspects connected to the killing had not yet been arrested.
State prosecutor Grace Akite told the court that police are actively pursuing additional suspects who remain on the run. She requested more time to allow investigators to complete their inquiries and apprehend those still wanted in connection with the incident.
“We have other suspects still on the run and police are searching for them. We pray for an adjournment to enable police to wind up their investigations and also arrest other suspects,” Akite submitted before court.
Following the request, Magistrate Karakire remanded the accused until July 23, 2026, when the matter will return to court for another mention.
The accused were identified as Obed Mugwisa, 39, a boda boda rider; Elly Mondoni, 33, a delivery agent with Medicinal Pharmacy; Joseph Owino, 30, a private security guard; and Henry Kabugo, 21, also a boda boda rider.
The four were previously charged with murder, an offence that falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court. As a result, they were not allowed to enter pleas before the City Hall Court.
“This court does not have jurisdiction to try your case because it is capital in nature. I will send you to prison until investigations are complete and you are committed to the High Court for trial,” Karakire said during earlier proceedings.
According to the charge sheet, the accused, together with others still at large, allegedly murdered Gongodyo on June 5, 2026, along Upper Naguru East Road in Kampala.
Gongodyo, 27, was a forward for the Rugby Cranes, Uganda’s national 15s rugby team, and a key player for Stanbic Black Pirates Rugby Club. Investigators believe he was attacked by a mob in Bukoto after being wrongly accused of stealing a woman’s handbag. Although police intervened and rushed him to Mulago National Referral Hospital for treatment, he later died from the injuries he sustained during the assault.
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