Kampala: The Ugandan rugby fraternity on Saturday united in a powerful stand against mob justice during the Memorial Walk, held in honour of the late Sydney Gongodyo, the Stanbic Black Pirates and Uganda Rugby Cranes player who was brutally killed in a mob attack in Bukoto last month.
Held under the theme “Sydney Is Me: Stop Mob Action,” the memorial walk attracted hundreds of rugby players, coaches, fans, administrators, corporate partners and members of the public. The procession began at Kampala Rugby Grounds before winding through the city to Kings Park Arena in Bweyogerere, the home of Stanbic Black Pirates Rugby Club.
Participants carried placards bearing messages such as “Every Life Matters,” “Justice, Not Violence,” and “Stop Mob Action,” calling for an end to the growing vice that has claimed the lives of many innocent Ugandans. Speaking at the event, Stanbic Black Pirates Head Coach Mervin Odongo described Gongodyo as a committed player whose dedication and humility made him a role model to many.”
Sydney was more than a rugby player. He was family. He represented discipline, resilience and selflessness every time he stepped onto the field. Today, we are not only mourning a teammate but sending a clear message that no Ugandan should lose their life to mob justice. Justice belongs to the courts, not to angry crowds,” Odongo said.
Journalist Moses Echodu also Executive Director of Uganda Child Cancer Foundation urged communities to embrace peaceful ways of resolving disputes. “Rugby teaches respect, discipline and teamwork. Those are the same values we want society to embrace. Sydney’s death is a painful reminder that mob justice destroys lives, families and communities. We call upon every Ugandan to reject violence and allow the law to take its course,” the representative said.
As one of the long-standing supporters of Ugandan rugby, Stanbic Bank Uganda joined the fraternity in honouring Gongodyo’s legacy and advocating for safer communities.
Speaking on behalf of the bank, Marketing Manager Diana Kahunde reaffirmed Stanbic’s commitment to initiatives that promote unity, justice and community development.
“For 35 years, Stanbic Bank has stood alongside Ugandans in driving growth and building stronger communities. Today, we stand with the rugby fraternity to honour Sydney’s memory and remind everyone that every life matters. Together, we can build a society where disagreements are resolved peacefully and justice is left to the institutions mandated to uphold it,” Kahunde said.
The walk also resonated with ordinary rugby enthusiasts who turned up in large numbers to show solidarity with Gongodyo’s family and teammates. Daniel Abaasa, a rugby supporter who participated in the procession, said the campaign should inspire Ugandans to rethink how they respond to crime and suspicion.
“Sydney’s story could have been anyone’s story. That’s why I joined this walk. Mob justice has no winners it only leaves families grieving. I hope today’s message reaches every Ugandan that no one has the right to take another person’s life,” Abaasa said. Throughout the walk, participants repeatedly chanted “Sydney Is Me”, symbolising that anyone could become a victim of mob violence. The campaign is intended to spark a nationwide conversation on the dangers of mob justice while encouraging citizens to trust the country’s justice system.
The event concluded with a candle-light tribute and a minute of silence in Gongodyo’s memory as participants pledged to continue advocating for justice, compassion and respect for human life.
