SC Villa mourns trustee, former player and Afrigo Band leader Moses Matovu, who died following a reported attack in Kibuli, Kampala.
SC Villa is mourning club trustee, former footballer and celebrated Afrigo Band leader Moses Matovu, who died after sustaining serious injuries during a reported attack in Kibuli, Kampala, on Thursday, 24 September 2026.
Matovu, 77, was taken to Kibuli Hospital following the incident but later died from his injuries. Police have opened an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.
His death represents a significant loss for two communities in which he created a lasting legacy: Ugandan football and music.
Police investigate Kibuli attack
The incident occurred at Kibuli Market Zone B in Kampala’s Makindye Division during the early hours of Thursday.
According to the NBS Sport report, Matovu was rushed to hospital after the reported attack but could not be saved.
The Daily Monitor’s report on the incident said police officers examined the scene and began working to determine what happened before the confrontation.
Early accounts of the incident have varied. Police had not conclusively established the full sequence of events at the time of publication.
SC Villa remembers one of its own
SC Villa described Matovu as a cherished member of the club whose association with the Jogoos stretched from his early football career to his later service as a trustee.
Before becoming one of Uganda’s best-known musicians, Matovu was a gifted footballer. He represented the Jogoos during the club’s earlier identity as Nakivubo Boys and formed part of its foundation before playing for other teams.
His connection with Villa continued after he stopped playing. Matovu later joined the club’s Board of Trustees, contributing experience, institutional knowledge and a direct connection to its formative years.
In its official tribute, Villa remembered him as a man whose journey was closely connected to the club’s history—first as a player and later as a trustee.
His progression from footballer to administrator reflected a lifelong attachment to the institution. To Villa supporters, he was more than a famous musician associated with the club. He was part of its story.
A legacy beyond football
Matovu was most widely recognised as a founding member and long-serving leader of Afrigo Band.
He formed the group in Kampala in 1975 alongside other musicians, including Tony Ssenkebejje, Jef Sewava, Charles Ssekyanzi and Jessy Gitta. Afrigo subsequently became one of Uganda’s longest-running and most influential live bands.
Matovu served as the group’s vocalist, saxophonist, composer and leader. His music career extended across several decades and helped sustain Uganda’s live-band tradition through changing generations.
Before Afrigo, he performed with groups including the Thunderbirds Band, Police Band and Cranes Band. Those experiences contributed to the musical foundation upon which Afrigo was built.
His influence reached listeners through recordings and live performances, but his importance went beyond individual songs. Matovu helped create an institution that became closely associated with Uganda’s cultural identity.
His ability to command respect in both football and music made him a distinctive public figure. Few Ugandans have held such meaningful roles in two major areas of national life.
Another painful loss for SC Villa
Matovu’s death comes during a difficult period for the SC Villa family. The club was already mourning captain David Owori, who died in August after a separate reported attack in Makindye.
The deaths of two prominent Villa figures within a short period have intensified the grief surrounding the club.
Matovu represented history, continuity and service. His public profile also connected Villa with people who may have known him primarily through Afrigo Band rather than football.
SC Villa’s board, management, players, staff and supporters extended condolences to his family, friends, fellow musicians, former teammates and Uganda’s wider football and music communities.
Funeral arrangements had not been publicly confirmed at the time of publication.
Final thoughts
Moses Matovu leaves a rare legacy spanning two defining parts of Ugandan culture. He helped build Afrigo Band into an enduring musical institution while maintaining a lifelong relationship with SC Villa as a former player and trustee. As police continue investigating the fatal incident, Uganda mourns a respected figure whose contribution to football and music will remain part of the country’s history.
