Veteran musician Moses Matovu, a founding member and icon of Uganda's Afrigo Band, has died after being attacked by unidentified assailants in Kampala. Matovu, 77, passed away at Kibuli Hospital on Thursday morning, where he had been rushed after the attack. According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala, Matovu was attacked early Thursday at Kibuli Market Zone B in Makindye Division and later succumbed to his injuries.
Preliminary information indicates that Matovu was attacked past 5am as he made his way to a mosque for morning prayers. The circumstances surrounding the attack and the identity of the assailants were not immediately clear. Kawala emphasized that a task team was at the scene investigating the incident, while efforts were underway to identify and apprehend the suspects.
Matovu was a central figure in Afrigo Band, which he formed in Kampala on August 31, 1975, alongside Tony Ssenkebejje, Jef Sewava, Charles Ssekyanzi, and Jessy Gitta. The band went on to become one of Uganda's longest-running and most influential live bands. Matovu served as the band's leader, saxophonist, vocalist, and composer, playing a major role in sustaining Uganda's live-band music tradition across generations.
Born in Kampala on June 19, 1949, to Abdallah Bukenya bin Adam and Solome Nakitto in Kawempe, Matovu joined the music industry in the 1960s. He initially performed with the Thunderbirds Band before moving to the Police Band and later the Cranes Band. Following the collapse of the Cranes Band, Matovu and other musicians founded Afrigo Band.
With a career spanning nearly six decades, Matovu became one of the most recognizable figures in Uganda's live-band music tradition. His contributions to the music industry have been significant, and his legacy will be remembered for years to come. As news of his death spread, family and friends began gathering at the mortuary, pending funeral arrangements.
Matovu's death is a significant loss to Uganda's music industry. According to the Police Annual Crime Report, 9,651 people were killed in homicide cases and traffic incidents in 2025, down from 9,749 deaths recorded under the two categories in 2024. The report highlights the need for continued efforts to address crime and ensure public safety in Uganda.
The investigation into Matovu's death is ongoing, with police working to identify and apprehend the suspects. His body was still at the mortuary by 8am Thursday, as family and friends prepared for funeral arrangements. Matovu's legacy as a musician and icon of Uganda's live-band music tradition will continue to inspire future generations of musicians and music lovers alike.
Key points
- Moses Matovu, a 77-year-old musician and founding member of Afrigo Band, was killed in a Kampala attack on Thursday morning.
- Matovu was a central figure in Uganda's live-band music tradition, with a career spanning nearly six decades.
- The investigation into Matovu's death is ongoing, with police working to identify and apprehend the suspects.
