Legendary Ugandan musician and Afrigo Band co-founder Moses Matovu, popularly known as Papa Moi, has been laid to rest in Kyanja, Kampala, as family, musicians, fans and other mourners gathered to bid farewell to one of Uganda’s most celebrated music figures.
Matovu, 77, was buried on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the family’s ancestral grounds in Kyanja, a day after his death following injuries sustained in an early-morning confrontation in Kibuli.
His burial brought to an end days of mourning that began after news of his death on Thursday morning sent shockwaves through Uganda’s entertainment industry.
Matovu died at Kibuli Hospital after sustaining a severe head injury during the reported confrontation at Kibuli Market Zone B in Makindye Division. According to police investigations, he had visited a woman at about 5:30 a.m., and a physical confrontation reportedly followed as the two were leaving.
A boda-boda rider rushed the injured musician to Kibuli Hospital, where he later died.
Police subsequently launched investigations into the suspected murder. A 41-year-old private security guard identified as Vincent Nsamba, also referred to as Arnold in reports, was arrested in Nansana, Wakiso District, while the woman who was with Matovu was also detained to assist with investigations.
Before Friday’s burial, Matovu’s body was taken for Muslim funeral prayers at Kibuli Mosque on Thursday afternoon before mourners gathered at the National Theatre. A night vigil was later held in Kyanja.
The final farewell on Friday attracted hundreds of mourners, including members of Matovu’s family, fellow musicians, fans and prominent figures such as Prince Kassim Nakibinge.
Tributes during the funeral celebrated Matovu’s remarkable contribution to Ugandan music. As a saxophonist, vocalist and one of the key figures behind Afrigo Band, he spent nearly six decades in the music industry.
Afrigo Band, which was founded in 1975, became one of Uganda’s longest-running and most influential live bands, with Matovu playing a central role in its musical journey.
Beyond music, Matovu was also associated with football, having played the sport and later served as a trustee of SC Villa.
See Photos from the Burial Below:
As Uganda laid Papa Moi to rest, mourners remembered him not only for his music but also for the decades he spent contributing to the country’s entertainment and cultural landscape.
