Family, friends, teammates, players, and leaders from across Uganda and the world mourn the demise of Rugby Cranes, and Black Pirates forward, the late Sydney Gongodyo.
Uganda Rugby paused on Sunday at Kings Park Arena as family, teammates, friends, fans, players and leaders from across the game gathered for the memorial service of Rugby Cranes and Stanbic Black Pirates forward Sydney Gongodyo.
Gongodyo, 27, died on Friday evening, June 5, after sustaining fatal injuries in a mob attack in Masulira Zone, Bukoto, Kampala. He was rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 7:00 pm.
The service drew players, coaches, officials, friends, fans, and supporters who filled Kings Park to pay their last respects.
During the proceedings, Stanbic Black Pirates head coach Marvin Odongo and the players announced that the club would retire jersey No. 7 in Gongodyo’s honour. The shirt — the last one Sydney wore on Saturday — will be kept by his parents as part of the tribute.
In a unifying gesture, players from men’s and women’s clubs across Uganda formed a guard of honour. Gongodyo’s casket was carried by fellow players and placed at the centre of the pitch, where the rugby community paid its final respects.
Gongodyo’s father told mourners that CCTV footage showed his son was not involved and had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Gongodyo’s mother described him as a unifying presence in their family and a disciplined, ambitious young man who had just returned from Nairobi after featuring in the Enterprise Cup Final with Black Pirates.
The Uganda Rugby postponed Sunday’s Premiership semifinal between Stanbic Black Pirates and Platinum Credit Heathens and observed a moment of silence before all sanctioned matches this weekend. Uganda Rugby President, Mr. Godwin Arinaitwe Kayangwe described Gongodyo’s death as a monumental loss, and said he served Uganda with honour, discipline, and exceptional commitment. More messages of sympathy flowed notably from the Rugby Africa president Mr. Herbert Mensah, Mr. Willem Strauss, president of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union where the late was chosen to participate in a high performance camp among others.
Burial Programme
The Late Gongodyo will be laid to rest on Tuesday, June 9, in Buweri County, Sironko District on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 also the National Hero’s Day.
Burial Time, 11:00 AM.
May Sydney’s Soul Rest In Eternal Peace.
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