Vincent Arnold Nsamba, the prime suspect in the death of Afrigo Band legend Moses Matovu, has given police his account of the early-morning confrontation in Kibuli that left the veteran musician fatally injured.

Nsamba reportedly told investigators that Matovu appeared weak during their confrontation, fell near his vehicle and started bleeding before he fled the scene. His account forms part of an ongoing police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

What happened to Moses Matovu?

Moses Matovu, the 77-year-old Afrigo Band veteran, died on Thursday, September 24, 2026, after sustaining serious injuries during a confrontation in Kibuli, Kampala.

According to preliminary police information and accounts from witnesses, Matovu had taken Rose Tusiime to her rented room in the Kibuli area in the early hours of the morning. The two reportedly later came out of the house and headed towards Matovu's vehicle.

Police say Nsamba, who was reportedly known to Tusiime as her boyfriend or former partner, confronted the pair. A physical altercation followed, during which Matovu intervened when Nsamba allegedly attacked Tusiime.

Witness accounts reported by Daily Monitor indicate that Matovu was struck below the chin and fell to the ground. He was reportedly bleeding heavily after the fall, prompting residents and a boda boda rider to help him.

Nsamba gives his account

Nsamba has disputed the sequence of events as portrayed in some of the preliminary accounts. According to his reported statement, Matovu appeared to be “a bit drunk and weak” during the confrontation and fell near his vehicle before beginning to bleed.

Nsamba says he became frightened and fled the area. However, his account remains part of the investigation and has not been established as the definitive version of what happened.

Police have continued gathering evidence and interviewing people connected to the incident to establish exactly how the confrontation unfolded.

Police arrest prime suspect in Nansana

Following the incident, Nsamba reportedly fled Kibuli. Police and other security personnel later traced and arrested him in the Yesu Amala area of Nansana, Wakiso District.

New Vision reported that detectives subsequently searched Nsamba's home in Nansana and recovered the jacket, shirt and trousers he allegedly wore on the day of the incident.

Police have identified Nsamba as a key suspect while investigations continue. No court finding has established his guilt, and the circumstances surrounding Matovu's death remain under investigation.

Police reconstruct Matovu's final moments

Investigators have since taken Nsamba and Tusiime back to the locations connected to the incident as part of a crime-scene reconstruction exercise.

According to Daily Monitor and The Observer, detectives visited locations including Rujumbura Bar, Tusiime's rented room and the area where Matovu's vehicle was parked.

The reconstruction was intended to help investigators establish the sequence of events leading to the fatal confrontation. Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala said the suspects were taken back to the scene to assist detectives in obtaining additional evidence.

Matovu was rushed to Kibuli Hospital

After the confrontation, residents and a boda boda rider reportedly tried to assist the injured musician. He was then taken to Kibuli Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Uganda Radio Network reported that a boda boda rider who helped transport Matovu to the hospital said the musician was bleeding heavily when he was taken for treatment.

Matovu's death was confirmed on September 24, prompting an outpouring of grief from Uganda's music fraternity, football community and his many fans.

Veteran musician laid to rest

Matovu was buried in Kyanja on Friday, September 25, 2026, following funeral prayers in Kibuli.

According to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, thousands of mourners gathered to pay their final respects to the veteran musician, who had spent nearly six decades in music.

Matovu was a vocalist, saxophonist, composer, arranger and long-serving leader of Afrigo Band. The group, one of Uganda's most established bands, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025.

Police investigation continues

Police have continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, with Nsamba and Tusiime being questioned as detectives work to establish what happened during the confrontation.

At this stage, the different accounts from the suspect, witnesses and investigators should be treated as evidence being examined rather than as a final determination of responsibility.

The investigation remains ongoing.