Afrigo Band has vowed to continue operating and honour all existing performance bookings following the death of its founder and longtime bandleader, Moses Matovu.
In an official communication dated September 28, 2026, the band’s management said Afrigo remains intact and committed to maintaining the standard of performances associated with Matovu, who died on September 24 at the age of 77.
The statement, signed by Afrigo Band management through Executive Director James Wasula, was issued to clients, corporate partners, fans and the general public following Matovu’s death.
“All bookings shall be honoured. The band remains intact and committed to delivering the quality performance that Afrigo is known for,” management said.
The band also appealed to its supporters not to lose heart, saying Matovu had spent more than five decades building the foundation on which Afrigo operates.
“The discipline, talent, and values he instilled in the band remain intact and will continue,” the statement said.
Management further declared that Afrigo Band would continue in Matovu’s honour, effectively signalling that the veteran musician’s death will not bring the curtain down on one of Uganda’s longest-running musical institutions.
Matovu’s final hours
Matovu died on September 24 after sustaining serious injuries during an incident at Kibuli Market Zone B in Makindye Division, Kampala.
Initial reports indicated that the veteran musician had been attacked by unidentified assailants and was rushed to Kibuli Hospital, where he later died. Police subsequently opened a murder investigation.
As investigations progressed, police identified a male suspect and detained a woman who had reportedly been with Matovu shortly before the incident.
Police said preliminary investigations pointed to a confrontation at a residence in Kibuli at about 5:30am. Investigators have described the incident as a physical altercation arising from a personal dispute, while stressing that the exact circumstances surrounding the death remained under investigation.
The development culminated in the arrest of Vincent Arnold Nsamba, who was identified by police as the prime suspect.
On Monday, September 28, Nsamba appeared before Makindye Chief Magistrates Court, where the murder charge was formally read to him. He was remanded to Luzira Upper Prison until November 3, 2026, when he is expected to return to court for mention of the case.
A woman who had also been brought to court, Rose Tumusiime, was taken away because her case file was reportedly not yet ready.
A six-decade musical legacy
Matovu, popularly known as Papa Moi, was one of the central figures in Uganda’s live-band music tradition.
He began his professional music journey in the 1960s, performing with groups including the Thunderbirds Band, Uganda Police Band and Cranes Band before becoming one of the musicians behind the formation of Afrigo Band in the mid-1970s.
Afrigo went on to become one of Uganda’s longest-running bands, with Matovu serving as its leader, saxophonist, vocalist, composer and arranger for decades. The group celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025.
Thousands of mourners gathered in Kyanja on September 25 for Matovu’s burial after funeral prayers at Kibuli and a vigil at the National Theatre.
With the burial now behind them, Afrigo’s latest statement makes clear that the band intends to carry forward Matovu’s musical institution rather than disband following his death.
For bookings and other inquiries, Afrigo management has directed clients to James Wasula, the band’s Executive Director, and Herman Ssewanyana, identified as the band’s Omwana w’Enseeneene.
