Uganda is mourning veteran musician and Afrigo Band founding member Moses Matovu after he died following an attack in Kampala on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Matovu, aged 77, was taken to Kibuli Hospital after the incident but later succumbed to his injuries. Police said the attack happened early in the morning at Kibuli Market Zone B in Makindye Division.
The death has sent shockwaves through Uganda’s music industry, where Matovu was regarded as one of the longstanding figures in the country’s live-band tradition. His career stretched across several decades, during which he became known as a saxophonist, singer, composer and band leader.
According to police and local reports, Matovu was attacked as he was making his way toward Kibuli Mosque for morning prayers. Friends said attending early prayers had become part of his routine. Details surrounding the confrontation remain under investigation, and authorities have not yet established the full circumstances that led to the musician’s death.
Police Metropolitan spokesperson Rachael Kawala said a task team had been deployed to the scene to investigate and identify those responsible. Investigators recovered exhibits from the area, including a concrete paver, while bloodstains were found near Matovu’s vehicle. A woman identified by police only as Rose was arrested as investigations continued, while police continued searching for other possible suspects.
Local accounts have offered different descriptions of what happened immediately before the attack. Because the investigation is ongoing, authorities have not publicly confirmed a final motive or sequence of events.
Matovu’s death marks the loss of a major figure in Uganda’s musical history. He was born in Kampala in 1949 and began his musical journey through church singing before performing with several bands. He later worked with the Police Band and the Cranes Band before becoming one of the musicians who founded Afrigo Band in 1975.
Afrigo Band grew into one of Uganda’s longest-running live bands and became an important part of the country’s entertainment culture. Matovu remained closely associated with the group for decades, helping maintain the live-band sound for audiences across generations.
His contribution was not limited to performing. Through composition, leadership and mentorship, he became part of a generation of musicians that helped establish Uganda’s modern popular music industry. His long career also connected older musical traditions with younger performers and audiences.
News of his death has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans, musicians and people who followed Afrigo Band throughout its long history. His funeral arrangements were expected to follow after the completion of police and family procedures.
For many Ugandans, Matovu’s passing represents more than the death of a musician. It closes a major chapter in the country’s live-band era. As investigations continue, attention remains focused on establishing exactly what happened at Kibuli and ensuring that those responsible are brought before the law.
Matovu is expected to be buried in Kyanja on September 25, 2026, according to local reporting.