TANZIA Afrigo Band’s Moses Matovu dies at 77 after street attack

[Da Dona]

Moses Matovu, co-founder and long-time leader of Afrigo Band, has died after he was reportedly attacked while returning home from work in Kampala on Wednesday night.

Matovu’s son, Ramadhan Kamoga, told CBS FM that his father was assaulted by a young man. Eyewitnesses reportedly said the attacker punched Matovu, causing him to fall onto the road and sustain heavy bleeding.

Kamoga said efforts to take Matovu to hospital were not possible at the time. The family later took his body to a hospital in Kibuli.

The exact location of the attack remains unclear, with Kamoga initially mentioning Lubaga in Kibuli. The attacker has not been identified, and police had not publicly commented on the incident by the time of publication.

Matovu’s death comes about seven weeks after SC Villa captain David Owori died following a street attack near his home in Makindye, a few months after Rugby player Sydney Gongodyo was killed on streets by a mob.

A five-decade musical legacy
Born on 19 June 1949 in Kawempe, Kampala, Matovu began his music career in 1967 as a vocalist with the Thunderbirds Band. He later joined the Police Band in 1968 and the Cranes Band in 1969.

After leaving the Cranes Band, Matovu and fellow musicians formed Afrigo Band in 1975. The group went on to become one of Uganda’s longest-running musical institutions, blending Congolese rumba, jazz and Ugandan rhythms.

As the band’s vocalist, alto saxophonist and leader, Matovu was associated with songs including Nantongo, Silina Anantwaala, Teri Mubi and Genda Osome.

Afrigo marked 50 years in 2025, with Matovu still performing and sharing the stage with younger generations of musicians.
He was 76 years old.

Source: Newvision, PML Daily​

 

[Eronda]

may his soul rest in peace

 

[Da Dona]

View attachment 3676779
Moses Matovu, co-founder and long-time leader of Afrigo Band, has died after he was reportedly attacked while returning home from work in Kampala on Wednesday night.

Matovu’s son, Ramadhan Kamoga, told CBS FM that his father was assaulted by a young man. Eyewitnesses reportedly said the attacker punched Matovu, causing him to fall onto the road and sustain heavy bleeding.

Kamoga said efforts to take Matovu to hospital were not possible at the time. The family later took his body to a hospital in Kibuli.

The exact location of the attack remains unclear, with Kamoga initially mentioning Lubaga in Kibuli. The attacker has not been identified, and police had not publicly commented on the incident by the time of publication.

Matovu’s death comes about seven weeks after SC Villa captain David Owori died following a street attack near his home in Makindye, a few months after Rugby player Sydney Gongodyo was killed on streets by a mob.

A five-decade musical legacy
Born on 19 June 1949 in Kawempe, Kampala, Matovu began his music career in 1967 as a vocalist with the Thunderbirds Band. He later joined the Police Band in 1968 and the Cranes Band in 1969.

After leaving the Cranes Band, Matovu and fellow musicians formed Afrigo Band in 1975. The group went on to become one of Uganda’s longest-running musical institutions, blending Congolese rumba, jazz and Ugandan rhythms.

As the band’s vocalist, alto saxophonist and leader, Matovu was associated with songs including Nantongo, Silina Anantwaala, Teri Mubi and Genda Osome.

Afrigo marked 50 years in 2025, with Matovu still performing and sharing the stage with younger generations of musicians.
He was 76 years old.

Source: Newvision, PML Daily​

Update: Matovu was not intentionally killed, says ‘girlfriend’

New details surrounding the death of Afrigo Band co-founder Moses Matovu suggest that he may have been attacked while intervening in a confrontation involving a woman, rather than being deliberately targeted.

According to a statement attributed to Rose Tumusiime, described as Matovu’s alleged girlfriend, the two returned to her room at about 2am and stayed there until around 5am, when her alleged former boyfriend arrived and knocked on the door.

Tumusiime reportedly refused to open the door, after which the man allegedly became violent, attempting to break down the door and smashing the windows.
She said the man saw Matovu inside and became more aggressive after she claimed Matovu was her father.

According to police, Tumusiime told investigators that she later gave Matovu a cup of water and escorted him to his vehicle. The alleged suspect then reportedly attacked her, slapping her.

Matovu got out of the vehicle and attempted to intervene, asking why the woman was being assaulted. The suspect allegedly punched him, causing him to fall and sustain serious injuries.

Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding Matovu’s death are ongoing.

By Observer UG

 

[Da Dona]

View attachment 3676779
Moses Matovu, co-founder and long-time leader of Afrigo Band, has died after he was reportedly attacked while returning home from work in Kampala on Wednesday night.

Matovu’s son, Ramadhan Kamoga, told CBS FM that his father was assaulted by a young man. Eyewitnesses reportedly said the attacker punched Matovu, causing him to fall onto the road and sustain heavy bleeding.

Kamoga said efforts to take Matovu to hospital were not possible at the time. The family later took his body to a hospital in Kibuli.

The exact location of the attack remains unclear, with Kamoga initially mentioning Lubaga in Kibuli. The attacker has not been identified, and police had not publicly commented on the incident by the time of publication.

Matovu’s death comes about seven weeks after SC Villa captain David Owori died following a street attack near his home in Makindye, a few months after Rugby player Sydney Gongodyo was killed on streets by a mob.

A five-decade musical legacy
Born on 19 June 1949 in Kawempe, Kampala, Matovu began his music career in 1967 as a vocalist with the Thunderbirds Band. He later joined the Police Band in 1968 and the Cranes Band in 1969.

After leaving the Cranes Band, Matovu and fellow musicians formed Afrigo Band in 1975. The group went on to become one of Uganda’s longest-running musical institutions, blending Congolese rumba, jazz and Ugandan rhythms.

As the band’s vocalist, alto saxophonist and leader, Matovu was associated with songs including Nantongo, Silina Anantwaala, Teri Mubi and Genda Osome.

Afrigo marked 50 years in 2025, with Matovu still performing and sharing the stage with younger generations of musicians.
He was 76 years old.

Source: Newvision, PML Daily​

Update: Police arrest prime suspect in Moses Matovu’s death

Police have arrested Vincent Nsamba, alias Arnold, in connection with the death of Afrigo Band veteran Moses Matovu.
Nsamba was arrested in Nansana, Wakiso District, following an early morning confrontation involving Matovu and Rose Tumusime at Kibuli Depot on Thursday.

Police allege Nsamba attacked and punched Matovu and Tumusime after questioning the musician about his relationship with Rose. Matovu sustained serious injuries and later died at Kibuli Hospital.

Tumusime was also arrested and reportedly led detectives to Nsamba. Police are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding Matovu’s death.​

 

[Da Dona]

View attachment 3676779
Moses Matovu, co-founder and long-time leader of Afrigo Band, has died after he was reportedly attacked while returning home from work in Kampala on Wednesday night.

Matovu’s son, Ramadhan Kamoga, told CBS FM that his father was assaulted by a young man. Eyewitnesses reportedly said the attacker punched Matovu, causing him to fall onto the road and sustain heavy bleeding.

Kamoga said efforts to take Matovu to hospital were not possible at the time. The family later took his body to a hospital in Kibuli.

The exact location of the attack remains unclear, with Kamoga initially mentioning Lubaga in Kibuli. The attacker has not been identified, and police had not publicly commented on the incident by the time of publication.

Matovu’s death comes about seven weeks after SC Villa captain David Owori died following a street attack near his home in Makindye, a few months after Rugby player Sydney Gongodyo was killed on streets by a mob.

A five-decade musical legacy
Born on 19 June 1949 in Kawempe, Kampala, Matovu began his music career in 1967 as a vocalist with the Thunderbirds Band. He later joined the Police Band in 1968 and the Cranes Band in 1969.

After leaving the Cranes Band, Matovu and fellow musicians formed Afrigo Band in 1975. The group went on to become one of Uganda’s longest-running musical institutions, blending Congolese rumba, jazz and Ugandan rhythms.

As the band’s vocalist, alto saxophonist and leader, Matovu was associated with songs including Nantongo, Silina Anantwaala, Teri Mubi and Genda Osome.

Afrigo marked 50 years in 2025, with Matovu still performing and sharing the stage with younger generations of musicians.
He was 76 years old.

Source: Newvision, PML Daily​

Update: Moses Matovu murder: Suspect remanded to Luzira

A 47-year-old driver accused of killing Ugandan music icon Moses Matovu, the long-serving leader of Afrigo Band, has been charged with murder and remanded to Luzira Upper Prison.

Vincent Arnold Nsamba, also known as Sitenda, appeared before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where the murder charge was formally read to him.

Nsamba arrived at court around midday in a police patrol vehicle under tight security, alongside Rose Tumusiime, the woman reported to have been with Matovu before the fatal incident. Tumusiime was driven away shortly after by security personnel as her file was reportedly not yet ready.

According to the charge sheet, Nsamba, a resident of Agip Zone, Kibuli Parish, Makindye Division, allegedly caused the death of 77-year-old Matovu with malice aforethought on September 24, 2026, at Market "B" Zone in Kibuli Parish.

State prosecutor Jamaima Akingo told court that investigations were still ongoing, including inquiries into injuries sustained during the incident.

When the murder charge was read to him, Nsamba replied, "I have heard and understood."

However, presiding Senior Magistrate Aidah Nanjala cautioned him against making further comments, explaining that the magistrate's court does not have jurisdiction to try capital offences.

"You are cautioned not to say anything because court has no jurisdiction to hear this case," Magistrate Nanjala told him.

The magistrate also informed Nsamba of his right to apply for bail before the High Court and said state-provided legal counsel would be made available during the trial.

Nsamba, who appeared composed in the dock and wore a red checkered shirt that largely concealed what appeared to be a fractured right arm, was remanded to Luzira Upper Prison until November 3, 2026.

The case will return to the Makindye Chief Magistrate's Court on that date for mention.