The charge sheet alleges that he caused Matovu’s death with malice aforethought on September 24 at Market “B” Zone, Kibuli Parish, Makindye Division. The charge is brought under Sections 171 and 172 of the Penal Code Act.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lino Angunzu, has clarified that Rose Tusiime, the woman who was with veteran Afrigo Band musician Moses Matovu shortly before he was fatally attacked, will not be charged over his death.
Angunzu said Tusiime is instead expected to assist investigators and prosecutors as a key witness in the murder case against Vincent Arnold Nsamba, alias Sitenda.
The DPP made the clarification on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, during his maiden media interface at the Office of the DPP at JLOS Towers in Naguru, Kampala. He said Tusiime had been wrongly perceived as a suspect after she was brought to the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court alongside Nsamba on September 28.
“We shall not be charging that lady. It appears she is going to be our key witness in the case,” Angunzu said.
He explained that Tusiime’s presence in court was the result of an error by police officers who were escorting Nsamba to court.
“I think there was an error made when police were taking the key suspect to court; I think they brought her along. This could have given an impression that she was also a suspect, which was wrong. From our determination, she is not a suspect,” Angunzu said.
How the attack happened
Matovu, 77, was attacked in the early hours of September 24, 2026, in Kibuli Market Zone B, Makindye Division, Kampala, shortly after leaving Tusiime’s residence.
According to the prosecution case, Nsamba confronted Tusiime and Matovu as they headed towards Matovu’s parked Land Rover. Nsamba allegedly attacked Tusiime, prompting Matovu to intervene.
The prosecution alleges that Nsamba then punched Matovu below the chin, causing him to fall. He was rushed to Kibuli Hospital but was pronounced dead at about 7am.
Police later arrested Nsamba in Nansana, Wakiso District, and conducted a reconstruction of the alleged crime scene at Kibuli.
During the reconstruction, Nsamba reportedly admitted punching Matovu but denied intending to kill him.
“I boxed him, and he fell. But I did not intend to kill him,” Nsamba reportedly told investigators.
Nsamba facing murder charge
Nsamba, a 47-year-old driver, was subsequently charged with murder before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court.
The charge sheet alleges that he caused Matovu’s death with malice aforethought on September 24 at Market “B” Zone, Kibuli Parish, Makindye Division. The charge is brought under Sections 171 and 172 of the Penal Code Act.
Nsamba was not allowed to plead to the murder charge because the magistrate explained that the lower court does not have jurisdiction to try capital offences. He was remanded to Luzira Upper Prison until November 3, 2026, when the case is scheduled to return for mention.
Tusiime’s role in the case
Tusiime initially attracted public attention after police detained her following Matovu’s death. She was later taken back to the scene during a police reconstruction exercise as investigators sought to establish the circumstances surrounding the fatal confrontation.
Her appearance in court alongside Nsamba on September 28 further fuelled speculation that she could face charges. However, the DPP has now ruled out that possibility and indicated that prosecutors intend to rely on her evidence against Nsamba.
Angunzu also said that if Tusiime had been kept at an undisclosed location, it could have been for her protection, stressing that she was not being treated as a suspect.
Matovu’s musical legacy
Matovu was a founding member and long-serving leader of Afrigo Band, one of Uganda’s longest-running live bands.
He co-founded the band in 1975 and went on to become one of the country’s most recognisable figures in live-band music, serving at different times as its leader, saxophonist, vocalist and composer. His career in music spanned nearly six decades.
Matovu was buried at Kyanja in Kampala on September 25, a day after his death, as family, musicians and fans mourned the veteran performer and called for justice.
