Police have opened a murder investigation into the death of veteran Afrigo Band musician Moses Matovu after he was allegedly attacked by unknown assailants at Kibuli Market Zone B in Kampala on Thursday morning.
Matovu, the legendary Afrigo Band leader popularly known as “Papa Moi,” was attacked on September 24, 2026, and sustained serious injuries before he was rushed to Kibuli Hospital, where he later died.
The Uganda Police Force confirmed the death and murder investigation in an update issued Thursday, saying officers at Kabalagala Police Station had registered a case of suspected murder involving Matovu.
“Moses was allegedly attacked this morning 24.09.2026 by unknown assailants at Kibuli Market Zone B, in Makindye Division, Kampala District,” Police said.
According to Police, Matovu was taken to Kibuli Hospital for medical attention but succumbed to his injuries.
A Police task team has since been dispatched to the scene to establish what happened and reconstruct the circumstances leading to the musician’s death.
“Efforts are also underway to identify and apprehend the suspected assailants,” Police said, promising to release more information as investigations progress.
ATTACK ON WAY TO MORNING PRAYERS
Preliminary reporting by Uganda Radio Network indicates that Matovu was attacked as he made his way to a mosque for morning prayers. The circumstances surrounding the assault and the identities of those responsible had not immediately been established.
The latest Police statement places the incident at Kibuli Market Zone B, in Makindye Division, adding a significant new detail to the circumstances surrounding the death.
Police have not yet disclosed the motive for the attack.
END OF AN ERA
Matovu’s death marks a devastating loss for Uganda’s live-music industry.
He was one of the founding figures of Afrigo Band, which emerged in the 1970s and went on to become one of Uganda’s longest-running musical groups. Matovu served as its leader and was particularly associated with the band’s distinctive blend of African rumba, jazz and Ugandan musical influences.
Born in Kampala in 1949, Matovu entered the professional music scene in the 1960s before becoming a central figure in Afrigo’s rise.
For decades, he remained the face of the band, earning the affection of generations of Ugandan music fans.
His death now leaves investigators with the task of answering the biggest questions surrounding the killing: Who attacked Moses Matovu, why was he targeted, and what exactly happened at Kibuli Market on Thursday morning?
Police say investigations are ongoing.
UG Mirror will continue to follow the murder investigation as more details emerge.
