Remembering Moses Matovu: The legendary face of Afrigo Band

What the report says

Moses Matovu, the long-time saxophonist and leader associated with Uganda’s Afrigo Band, has died at the age of 77, according to Sqoop Uganda and police accounts cited in the article. The report says he died on Thursday, September 24, after suffering severe head injuries in a physical altercation at Kibuli Market Zone B. The piece frames his passing as the end of an era for one of Uganda’s most recognizable live music figures.

Sqoop Uganda describes Matovu as a central figure in Afrigo’s rise from the band’s origins in Kampala in 1975, after the breakup of the Cranes Band. Over more than five decades, he helped steer the group through political change, shifts in popular music, and the move from analogue to digital production. The article says Afrigo became a lasting cultural institution built on jazz, rumba, and local rhythms.

The tribute also highlights Matovu’s reputation for discipline, preparation, and high performance standards. It says he remained active into recent years, continuing to rehearse, perform, and work with younger artists while preserving Afrigo’s identity. The article notes a 50th-anniversary show at Millennium Grounds in Lugogo, where he reportedly helped restore sound equipment during heavy rain so the performance could continue.

Beyond the obituary tone, the piece argues that Matovu’s influence came from consistency rather than spectacle. It notes that he also sang, composed, recorded, and collaborated with other Ugandan musicians, and that his legacy will likely remain tied to both Afrigo’s endurance and his insistence on professional standards.