By; Ibrahim Kigozi G|
Uganda’s music industry has been plunged into mourning following the death of legendary musician and Afrigo Band leader Moses Matovu, who passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 77 after reportedly being attacked by unidentified assailants in Kampala.
According to police and local media reports, Matovu was attacked in the Kibuli area of Kampala on the morning of September 24, 2026. He reportedly sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Kibuli Hospital for medical attention, but later succumbed to his injuries. Police have opened investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Reports indicate that Matovu was on his way to a nearby mosque when the attack occurred. He is said to have lost a significant amount of blood before being taken to hospital. Authorities are investigating the incident and working to establish the identity and motive of the attackers.
His death brings to an end the life of one of Uganda’s most influential musicians, whose career stretched across more than five decades.
Matovu was born on June 19, 1949, in Kawempe, Kampala. His passion for music developed at an early age, eventually taking him through several musical groups, including the Police Band and Cranes Band, before he became one of the central figures in the formation of Afrigo Band.
Afrigo Band was established in the mid-1970s and went on to become one of the longest-running and most influential musical groups in Uganda. Matovu served as its bandleader and saxophonist, helping shape the distinctive sound that blended Ugandan musical traditions with African rumba, jazz and other influences.
For generations of Ugandans, Afrigo was more than a music group. Its performances became part of the country's social and cultural life, with the band entertaining audiences across decades of major changes in Uganda.
Matovu's contribution was particularly significant because he remained active in music for many years while also mentoring younger musicians. In earlier interviews, he spoke about the importance of recruiting and nurturing young talent to ensure Afrigo’s musical legacy continued.
His musical journey also reflected Uganda’s changing cultural landscape. Before Afrigo, Matovu had already established himself as a performer and composer, recording original music and working with established bands. His saxophone became one of the recognizable sounds associated with Afrigo.
News of his death has triggered an outpouring of grief among musicians, fans and cultural figures, many of whom have described his passing as a major loss to Uganda's entertainment industry.
The circumstances surrounding his death, however, have added shock to the mourning. Police have reportedly opened a suspected murder investigation, with officers at the scene working to establish what happened and identify those responsible.
As investigations continue, Uganda is left to remember Moses Matovu not only as an Afrigo Band founder and bandleader, but as a musician whose career helped define an important chapter in the country's musical history.
At 77, Matovu leaves behind a musical legacy that spans generations—and a catalogue of memories that will continue to live through Uganda’s music.
Moses Matovu is dead, but the music of Afrigo will continue to tell his story.