Thousands of mourners gathered in Kyanja, Kampala, on Friday, September 25, to bid farewell to veteran musician and Afrigo Band leader Moses Matovu Bukenya, popularly known as Papa Moi. Matovu, 77, died on Thursday, September 24, after sustaining injuries in an attack at Kibuli Market Zone B in Makindye Division. He was taken to Kibuli Hospital, where he later died. The burial was attended by many who came to pay their respects to the musical legend.
Before his burial, Muslim funeral prayers, Swalat Janaza, were held in Kibuli. His body was later taken to the National Theatre before being moved to Kyanja for a vigil and burial. The government supported the funeral arrangements, according to Matovu’s son, Musa Kamoga. This gesture from the government shows the impact Matovu had on the country's music industry. Matovu's music career spanned nearly six decades, and he will be remembered for his contributions to Ugandan music.
Moses Matovu was born on June 19, 1949, in Kawempe, Kampala, to Abdallah Bukenya bin Adam and Solome Nakitto. He began his music career in the 1960s with the Thunderbirds Band before joining the Police Band and later the Cranes Band. After the Cranes Band folded, Matovu and other musicians formed Afrigo Band in the mid-1970s. Afrigo went on to become one of Uganda’s longest-running bands and marked its 50th anniversary in 2025.
Matovu was a vocalist, saxophonist, composer, arranger, and band leader. He remained with Afrigo for decades and performed in Uganda and abroad. His career was a testament to his passion for music and his dedication to the Afrigo Band. The band has been a significant part of Uganda's music scene, and Matovu's leadership played a crucial role in its success.
Police said Matovu was attacked in Kibuli Market Zone B in Makindye Division before being taken to hospital. Investigations into his death are continuing, with detectives working to establish the circumstances of the attack and identify those responsible. The police investigation is ongoing, and the public is waiting for the outcome.
The burial of Matovu brought to a close a music career that stretched from Uganda’s bands of the 1960s to Afrigo Band’s 50th anniversary. Many people attended the burial to pay their respects to a musical legend. Matovu's legacy will live on through his music and the impact he had on the country's music industry.
Matovu's death has sent shockwaves through the music industry, and many are still trying to come to terms with the loss. His contributions to Ugandan music will not be forgotten, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of musicians. The government and the public have come together to celebrate his life and music.
Key points
- Moses Matovu was a veteran musician and Afrigo Band leader who died on September 24, 2026, after sustaining injuries in an attack in Makindye Division.
- Matovu's music career spanned nearly six decades, and he performed in Uganda and abroad with the Afrigo Band.
- The government supported the funeral arrangements, and thousands of mourners attended his burial in Kyanja, Kampala.
