Uganda: Moses Matovu, pillar of the Afrigo Band for over 50 years, dies at 77

Ugandan musician Moses Matovu, founder and historic leader of the Afrigo Band, died on September 24, 2026, in Kampala at the age of 77, after being violently assaulted, according to the Ugandan police as cited by the Daily Monitor newspaper.

What the police say

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala, the incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. in front of a residence in the Kibuli neighborhood, in the Makindye division. Moses Matovu and a woman accompanying him were reportedly approached by a man identified as her former partner. A physical altercation ensued. Seriously injured, the musician was transported by motorcycle to Kibuli Hospital, where he died shortly after his arrival.

A 41-year-old man, Vincent Nsamba, was arrested that same evening in Nansana, in the Wakiso district, following a manhunt led by intelligence teams, according to the Daily Monitor. The woman present at the time of the incident has been placed in police custody to assist investigators. Investigations are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances of the tragedy, and the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A life dedicated to music

Moses Matovu accompanied the Afrigo Band since its creation in 1975 and led it for more than half a century, according to the Daily Monitor. A singer, composer, and saxophonist, he was one of the most recognizable faces of the Ugandan big band tradition, and his career spanned nearly six decades.

He was also known for the discipline he imposed on the group and for training several generations of musicians, according to the Ugandan press. In a country where many orchestras have disappeared, the longevity of the Afrigo Band made it an institution of the cultural scene.

The police have extended their condolences to his family, the music world, and his fans throughout Uganda.