I Talked with Him Last Evening at Sheraton Hotel Where He Performed: Tributes Pour in Following Musician Moses Matovu Murder

Tributes have poured in for veteran musician Moses Matovu following his death in a suspected attack in Kampala, with friends, colleagues and public figures describing the Afrigo Band founder as a towering figure whose contribution to Uganda’s music industry spanned decades.

Matovu was reportedly attacked by unknown assailants at Kibuli Market Zone B in Makindye Division on Thursday morning, September 24, 2026.

Police said he was rushed to Kibuli Hospital after the attack, where he later died.

News of his death has sent shockwaves through Uganda’s music and entertainment fraternity, with several people recalling conversations and performances they shared with the veteran musician shortly before his death.

Among those mourning is Tony Otoa, the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), who said he had spoken to Matovu only hours before his death.

Otoa said Matovu had performed at a farewell party for the outgoing Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda at Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday evening.

“I just can’t believe I talked to Moses Matovu last evening at Sheraton,” Otoa said.

He recalled telling Matovu about his late mother’s collection of Afrigo Band music and how he and his brother used to trade her tapes.

“I told him about my late mother’s Afrigo collection and how my brother and I traded her tapes. I appreciated his craft,” Otoa said.

The following morning, however, Otoa woke up to news of the musician’s death.

“To wake up to his demise this morning is something I just can’t wrap my head around. Rest in peace legend,” he said.

Television host Samson Kasumba also described Matovu’s death as a deeply painful loss, revealing that the two had been planning to work together on jazz music.

Kasumba said he had spoken to Matovu several times on the phone and had agreed to attend an Afrigo Band rehearsal in Kibuli on Tuesday, where they planned to work on jazz ballads.

But the plans never materialised.

“Sadly 😭😭😭😭😭 I kept procrastinating thinking there will be time,” Kasumba said.

He recalled how Matovu introduced him to the jazz standard Autumn Leaves after hearing him sing What a Wonderful World and Fly Me to the Moon.

“He said in his signature soft voice what of Autumn Leaves? I had never heard of the song. I went looked it up and it was within my range,” Kasumba said.

He also remembered performing alongside Matovu during one event, describing their rendition of Killing Me Softly as one of the best he had ever heard.

“At one event he leading Afrigo and I doing vocals we did one of the best renditions of Killing me softly that I will ever hear!” Kasumba said.

For Kasumba, Matovu’s musical ability was particularly evident in his mastery of swing jazz.

“His ability to play and sing swing jazz was impeccable,” he said.

He expressed regret that he had assumed there would always be more time to take up opportunities Matovu had offered him.

“A person who may not even have known the value of Moses has stolen from us a real legend. This will hurt deeply,” Kasumba said.

“I wish I used the opportunity he gave me when he did. I thought I had time to take it. Sad I never knew time was not on my side.”

Kasumba described Matovu’s death as an especially cruel loss.

“Moses you have been taken from us in a very cruel manner!” he said.

Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara also mourned Matovu, describing him as a giant of Uganda’s music industry.

Barugahara said Matovu, whom he described as his friend and the father of the Classic Band Music Director and founder of Afrigo Band, had reportedly been attacked by a gang while returning from work.

“I regret to announce the tragic death of my friend and father of the Classic Band Music Director and founder of Afrigo Band, Mzee Moses Matovu, who was reportedly attacked by a gang in Kibuli last night while returning from work,” Barugahara said.

He condemned the attack and said Matovu’s death had robbed Uganda of an important figure in its cultural history.

“Uganda’s music industry has lost a true legend whose contribution to our culture and music will remain unforgettable,” he said.

“He was a giant of our music industry, and a talent we may never replace.”

Barugahara called on the security agencies to pursue those responsible for the attack.

“I appeal to our joint security agencies to do everything possible, as always, to identify, apprehend and bring to justice those responsible for this heinous act,” he said.

He extended his condolences to Matovu’s family, the Afrigo Band fraternity, his friends and colleagues, as well as Ugandans who grew up listening to his music.

“My heartfelt condolences go to Mzee Moses Matovu’s family, the entire Afrigo Band fraternity, his friends, colleagues, and all lovers of his music,” Barugahara said.

“May his soul rest in eternal peace. Rest well, Mzee Moses Matovu. Your music and legacy will live on.”

Moses Matovu is dead and Uganda is mourning one of the musicians who helped shape the country’s modern live-band music tradition through Afrigo Band.

His final hours, marked by a performance at the Sheraton Hotel and plans for another musical rehearsal, have added a painful poignancy to the tributes now being shared in his memory.

Read what the police has said about how Moses Matovu was killed Here.