Afrigo Band co- founder veteran musician Moses Matovu aka Papa Moi has been laid to rest at his grandfathers ‘s ancestral.burial grounds in Kyanja.
Thousands of mourners paid their last respects at a six hour long funeral attended by central government officials religious leaders , musicians and sportsmen among others .
The central government was reprsxnted by the Ministers of Public Service , General Edward Katumba Wamala and that of Kampala Hajjat Minsa Kabanda .
The late Matovu’s children
Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu the Titular Mufti of Uganda based in Kibuli where the late Matovu resided was among the cultural religious leaders that attended the funeral .
Afrigo Band members led by lead singers Joanita Kawalya and Rachel Magoola said the band had lost more than a colleague, describing Matovu as an integral part of the family that built and sustained the group over the years.
“Moses, you were part of our family. You were the heartbeat of the Afrigo story,” Magoola said.
She recalled the years the band members spent travelling, rehearsing and performing together, as well as the laughter and moments they shared away from the stage.
Magoola said Afrigo Band’s history was built not only by its musicians but also by instrumentalists, technicians, sound engineers, road crew members, managers and promoters who worked behind the scenes to keep the band going.
The legendary maestro and saxophonist spent more than five decades in Uganda’s music industry, becoming one of the country’s most recognised musical figures. He was particularly known for his long association with the Afrigo Band, where he served both as a member and later as its leader.
Matovu’s death comes less than a month after the passing of another prominent Ugandan musician, Alex Mukulu, adding to a period of mourning within the country’s music fraternity.
Matovu is survived by 11 children .
Meanwhile, police has arrested and is holding a key suspect , Vicent Nsamba 41, to help with investigations into the circumstances surrounding the musician’s death .
According to police, Nsamba was apprehended in Ochange Ward, Yesu Amala, Nansana Division, Wakiso District.
Police spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police, SP Racheal Kawala, confirmed the arrest, saying investigations into the incident are ongoing.
