Afrigo Band co-founder Moses Matovu is being mourned for his contribution to Uganda’s live music scene.
Two people remain in police custody as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the death of veteran Ugandan musician and Afrigo Band founder Moses Matovu.
Matovu will be laid to rest in Kyanja, Kampala, on September 25 as family, friends, fellow musicians and fans gather to honour his life and legacy.
The funeral programme released by Afrigo Band indicates that the burial is scheduled for 4pm. The celebrated musician, who was 77, died at Kibuli Hospital after sustaining serious injuries during a reported confrontation in Kampala.
Police have arrested two individuals in connection with the case. Authorities identified them as Rose, a woman who was reportedly with Matovu shortly before the incident, and Vincent Nsamba, a private security guard whom investigators have named as the main suspect.
Funeral programme brings mourners together
Afrigo Band launched a two-day farewell programme to celebrate Matovu’s life and contribution to Ugandan music.
The programme began with Muslim funeral prayers at Kibuli on Thursday afternoon. Later in the evening, mourners gathered at the National Theatre before proceeding to an overnight vigil in Kyanja ahead of the burial.
The farewell comes as Uganda’s entertainment industry mourns one of its most respected musicians. Over the decades, Matovu built a reputation as a singer, saxophonist, composer and band leader whose influence extended across generations.
Police investigate reported confrontation
According to preliminary findings from Kampala Metropolitan Police, Matovu arrived at Rose’s residence at around 5:30am on Thursday.
Investigators say Matovu and Rose were leaving the residence when a man believed to be Rose’s former partner confronted them. Police allege that a physical confrontation followed, leaving the veteran musician with severe injuries.
Officers later arrested Vincent Nsamba in Nansana, Wakiso District. Rose also remains in police custody as detectives continue gathering information about the events leading up to the incident.
At the scene in Kibuli Market Zone B, investigators collected several exhibits, including a concrete paver. Officers also documented bloodstains near Matovu’s vehicle as part of efforts to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Police have not yet established all the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigators continue to examine the evidence, and the allegations against those in custody remain under investigation.
A career spanning generations
Born on June 19, 1949, in Kawempe, Kampala, Matovu discovered his passion for music at an early age. He first performed with the Namirembe Cathedral Choir before beginning his professional music career in 1967 as a vocalist with the Thunderbirds Band.
He later performed with the Uganda Police Band and Cranes Band before co-founding Afrigo Band in 1975.
As the band’s longtime leader, Matovu balanced performing, composing and mentoring emerging talent. His leadership helped transform Afrigo Band into one of Uganda’s longest-running and most influential musical groups.
For more than five decades, he remained a defining figure in Uganda’s live music industry, earning admiration for both his artistry and dedication to nurturing future generations of musicians.
His burial marks the end of a remarkable musical journey, even as police continue investigating the events that led to his death.
