MPs Demand Action on Mob Justice Following Rugby Player's Death

The Ugandan Parliament is calling for an urgent crackdown on mob justice, a practice that has claimed numerous lives across the country. The directive from Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja follows the tragic death of national rugby player Sydney Gongodyo Gyabi, who was killed by a mob on June 5, 2026, on suspicion of theft.

During a plenary session, Omoro County MP Andrew Ojok highlighted the alarming statistics, revealing that over 1,000 people have died in mob justice incidents annually in recent years. He expressed concern that less than a third of these cases reach a logical conclusion, urging the Minister for Internal Affairs to provide a report within seven days outlining investigation progress and police response times. Ojok criticized the delayed arrival of police, which often allows victims to suffer summary justice before law enforcement can intervene.

Budadiri County East MP Julius Nakiyi echoed the call for swift justice, suggesting public trials at crime scenes, similar to past incidents. Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth also recounted a case where individuals were lynched on suspicion of kidnapping, only for the supposed victim to reappear days later, posing a question about how to administer justice to those who carried out the killings.

Prime Minister Nabbanja condemned mob justice as a barbaric act and committed to stamping it out, promising that culprits will be brought to book. She directed the Ministry of Internal Affairs to prepare a comprehensive report for parliamentary debate, aiming to find lasting solutions to prevent such vigilantism and ensure due process is followed.

https://www.howwe.ug/news/national/43106/mps-seek-answers-to-end-mob-justice-after-rugby-stars-death