Parliament has demanded immediate government action to address the rising cases of mob justice across the country following the killing of rugby player Sidney Gongodyo earlier this month.
The matter was presented before Parliament by Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, who also serves as Vice President of the Uganda Rugby Union. He described Gongodyo’s death as a disturbing reflection of growing public violence and weakening respect for due process.
Gongodyo, 27, reportedly died after he was attacked by a mob on June 5 after being accused of stealing a woman’s handbag. Police later arrested nine individuals in connection with the incident.
Addressing Parliament, Ojok said the rugby player’s burial on Heroes Day should serve as a turning point in the country’s fight against mob violence.
He warned legislators that mob justice has become increasingly common in communities where suspicion alone is often treated as proof of guilt.
According to Ojok, the killing violated constitutional protections that guarantee every suspect the right to a fair hearing and the presumption of innocence before conviction by a competent court.
The legislator also criticized the handling of the incident, saying videos circulating on social media showed Gongodyo being treated as a criminal before any investigation had been completed.
Ojok asked Parliament to formally denounce mob justice and direct the Ministry of Internal Affairs to table a detailed report within seven days on measures being taken to curb the vice.
He further called for a national strategy aimed at improving police response times, arguing that delayed intervention by security agencies often fuels violent reprisals by angry crowds.
He told Parliament that in many incidents, police arrive hours after suspects have already been attacked or killed.
Ojok additionally raised concerns over what he described as low prosecution and conviction rates in murder-related cases, saying this may be contributing to public frustration and loss of confidence in the justice system.
Presiding over the sitting, Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth condemned the incident and cautioned that no citizen is immune from becoming a victim of mob violence.
He noted that many attacks are now triggered by mere accusations without any verification.
The Speaker said the growing trend reflects declining public trust in institutions responsible for law enforcement and justice administration.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja also condemned the killing and assured Parliament that government would take the matter seriously.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive, Nabbanja described Gongodyo’s death as painful and unacceptable, stressing that mob justice affects communities across the country.
She recounted witnessing a similar incident in western Uganda where a coffee trader was allegedly mistaken for a criminal and killed by a crowd while transporting weighing equipment.
Nabbanja directed the Ministry of Internal Affairs to prepare a comprehensive report for parliamentary discussion, saying the vice continues to affect families, communities, and voters nationwide.
Uganda’s Constitution guarantees the right to life, liberty, and fair hearing, while the Penal Code criminalizes murder and unlawful killings regardless of circumstances.
Human rights defenders have consistently warned that mob justice undermines the rule of law and weakens public confidence in institutions mandated to deliver justice legally and fairly.
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