Leaders of boda boda riders across Uganda have strongly condemned the mob attack that led to the death of national rugby player Sydney Gongodyo and pledged full cooperation with police investigations to ensure all those responsible are brought to justice.
The condemnation follows a violent assault in Bukoto last week in which Gongodyo was attacked by a mob after being accused of stealing a handbag.
He sustained severe injuries during the beating and later died while receiving treatment in hospital.
Videos that circulated widely on social media showed a group of people, including several boda boda riders armed with sticks and clubs, repeatedly assaulting the rugby player.
Speaking on behalf of boda boda riders, Frank Mawejje distanced the wider boda boda fraternity from the incident, saying those involved acted outside the law and should be held individually accountable.
“The people seen in those videos do not represent the entire boda boda fraternity. They are criminal elements who chose to take the law into their own hands, and we strongly condemn their actions. We extend our sincere condolences and apology to the family of Sydney Gongodyo and to all Ugandans who have been saddened by this tragedy,” Mawejje said.
He revealed that boda boda leaders are familiar with some of the suspects captured in the footage and know the stages where they operate, adding that they are working closely with security agencies to facilitate arrests.
“We know some of the individuals who appeared in the videos and the stages where they operate. We are cooperating fully with police and will continue providing any information necessary to ensure that everyone involved in this killing is arrested and prosecuted according to the law,” he added.
Police have so far arrested eight suspects in connection with the killing, while investigations and efforts to trace additional suspects remain ongoing.
Mawejje attributed some of the challenges within the sector to inadequate regulation, arguing that stronger registration systems, mandatory uniforms and visible identification badges would improve accountability and make it harder for criminals to operate under the guise of legitimate boda boda riders.
The leaders also pledged to strengthen discipline within the industry and intensify campaigns against mob justice, noting that similar incidents frequently occur at accident scenes and in cases involving suspected criminals.
They emphasised that no individual should be punished without due process and urged members of the public to hand suspects over to law enforcement authorities instead of taking the law into their own hands.
The killing of Gongodyo has sparked widespread public outrage, with political leaders, sports figures, human rights activists and members of the public demanding justice.
Widely respected within Uganda’s rugby fraternity, Gongodyo's death has reignited concerns about the persistence of mob justice and the dangers posed by vigilante violence.
Meanwhile, police have reiterated their commitment to pursuing all those involved in the fatal assault and warned the public against engaging in acts of mob justice, stressing that criminal suspects should always be handed over to law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution.