Veteran musician and Afrigo Band founder Moses Matovu has died after he was allegedly attacked by unknown assailants in Kampala on Thursday morning.
Police said Matovu was attacked on September 24, 2026, at Kibuli Market Zone B in Makindye Division, Kampala District. He was rushed to Kibuli Hospital for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries.
“Police at Kabalagala have registered a case of suspected murder involving Matovu Moses, a musician with Afrigo Band,” Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala said.
“Our task team is currently at the scene conducting investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident,” she added.
Police said efforts were underway to identify and apprehend the suspected attackers, with more details expected as investigations progress.
Founder of Uganda’s Longest-Running Band
Matovu was a founding member and long-serving leader of Afrigo Band, a group formed in Kampala in 1975 by eight musicians.
The band, which plays a blend of African rumba, kidandali and jazz, is regarded as the longest-lasting musical group in Uganda. It had been active for 51 years by September 2026.
Matovu served as the band’s leader, saxophonist, lead vocalist and composer. He remained associated with Afrigo throughout its development, as the group recruited new members over the years following the departure or death of its original musicians.
The other founding members were Charles Ssekyanzi, Jeff Sewava, Paddy Nsubuga, Paulo Serumagga, Fred Luyombya, Anthony Kyeyune and Geoffrey Kizito.
By January 2015, all but one of the original founding members had died, according to the band’s historical record.
Afrigo has performed regularly in Uganda and toured Europe and the United States for Ugandan audiences in the diaspora. Its members, past and present, have included Joanita Kawalya, Rachael Magoola, Herman Ssewanyana, Frank Mbalire, Sammy Kasule and Charles Ssekyanzi Mutagubya, among others.
The band’s recorded music includes songs such as Obangaina, composed by Rachael Magoola, as well as Akola Bwenkanya, Musa, Enneyisa, Rose Guma, Onnemye and Nnemeddwa.
In 2015, Afrigo celebrated its 40th anniversary with a concert at Hotel Africana in Kampala and also began regular Friday performances at Club Silk in the city’s Industrial Area.
Matovu’s death brings to an end the career of one of the musicians most closely associated with Afrigo’s five-decade history.
Police investigations into his death are continuing.