Four men accused of murdering national rugby player Sydney Gongodyo Gyabi have been further remanded to Luzira Prison as investigations into the case continue.
The suspects appeared before the City Hall Court on Monday for the mention of their case, but Grade One Magistrate Edgar Karakire was informed by the prosecution that inquiries into the matter had not yet been concluded.
Prosecution led by Ms Grace Akite told court that police investigations are still ongoing and efforts to apprehend other suspects linked to the killing are continuing.
“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,” Ms Akite told court.
The magistrate consequently remanded the accused until July 23, 2026, when the case will return to court for mention.
The accused are 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, a boda boda rider.
The four were earlier charged with murder before the same court, and were not allowed to enter pleas because the offence is capital in nature and can only be tried by the High 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,” Mr Karakire said during the earlier proceedings.
According to the charge sheet, Mugwisa, Mondoni, Owino, Kabugo and others still at large allegedly murdered Gongodyo on June 5, 2026, at Upper Naguru East Road in Kampala District.
Gongodyo, 27, was a forward for the national 15s rugby team, the Rugby Cranes, and a key player for Stanbic Black Pirates Rugby Club.
Investigators say he was attacked by a mob in the Kampala suburb of Bukoto after being falsely accused of snatching a woman’s handbag.
Although police intervened and rushed him to Mulago National Referral Hospital, he later succumbed to injuries.
The death sent shockwaves through Uganda’s sporting community, prompting the postponement of Uganda Rugby Premiership semi-final matches.
Uganda Rugby Union President Godwin Kayangwe described the player’s death as a monumental loss to the sport.
Police have maintained that efforts to identify, trace and arrest other individuals believed to have participated in the fatal attack are ongoing.
Gongodyo’s death has since reignited concerns about mob justice in Uganda, with authorities warning that innocent people are often targeted by violent crowds acting on unverified accusations.