Moses Matovu, the co-founder and long-time leader of Afrigo Band, has died after being attacked by unknown assailants in Kampala.
Matovu was attacked in the early hours of Thursday, 24 September 2026, at Kibuli Market Zone B in Makindye Division, Kampala District, according to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala.
He was rushed to Kibuli Hospital for treatment but later died from his injuries.
Kawala said Kabalagala Police had opened a case of suspected murder involving Matovu, a musician with Afrigo Band.
Matovu’s death comes seven weeks after SC Villa captain David Owori died following a separate street attack near his home in Makindye.
Owori was attacked by unknown assailants at about 8pm on Tuesday, 4 August, as he returned from training, according to his club. He later died while receiving treatment at Case Clinic.
Police subsequently said 17 suspects had been arrested in connection with Owori’s killing.
Born on 19 June 1949 in Kawempe Division, Kampala District, Matovu was the son of Abdallah Bukenya and Solome Nakitto.
He began his music career as a vocalist with the Thunderbirds Band in 1967. He joined the Police Band in 1968 and later the Cranes Band in 1969.
After the Cranes Band broke up, Matovu said in a previous interview that he and fellow musicians formed the group that later became Afrigo Band on 31 August 1975.
Afrigo went on to become one of Uganda’s longest-running musical groups, developing a distinctive sound influenced by Congolese rumba and Ugandan traditional rhythms.
Matovu led the band for decades as its vocalist and alto saxophonist and composed several popular songs, including Nantongo, Silina Anantwaala, Teri Mubi and Genda Osome.
He said the band moved its base to Kibuli in 1983, where he also lived.
Matovu remained active in the band’s performances and administration well into his seventies. In 2025, Afrigo marked 50 years since its formation, with Matovu still at the helm.
