Veteran Ugandan musician and Afrigo Band co-founder Moses Matovu has died at the age of 77 after sustaining serious injuries in an early-morning attack in Kampala.
Matovu, a renowned saxophonist, was attacked at about 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, in the Kibuli area of Kampala. He was rushed to Kibuli Hospital on a motorcycle but later died from his injuries.
According to preliminary findings by Kampala Metropolitan Police, Matovu had visited the residence of a woman he was reportedly dating. Police said that as the pair were leaving the residence, they were confronted by a man who had previously been in a relationship with the woman.
Police said the incident may have resulted from a physical altercation, but stressed that investigators were still working to establish exactly what happened and what led to Matovu’s death.
The woman, identified as Rose Tumusiime, was arrested and was assisting detectives with the investigation. Police also said the male suspect had been identified and was initially believed to have fled the scene.
A later police update reported that 41-year-old Nsamba Vincent, described as the prime suspect, had been arrested in Wakiso District as investigations continued.
Matovu’s death came after a career spanning nearly six decades. He began his professional music journey in the 1960s and later helped establish Afrigo Band in 1975.
He became one of the group’s most recognisable figures, serving as a bandleader, saxophonist, vocalist and composer. Afrigo Band went on to become one of Uganda’s longest-running and most influential live music groups.
Matovu had reportedly performed at an event in Kampala on Wednesday night, just hours before the fatal incident.
He was scheduled to be laid to rest in Kyanja on Friday, September 25, according to reports.
