KAMPALA — Police have taken two suspects back to Kibuli to reconstruct the events surrounding the death of veteran Afrigo Band musician Moses Matovu as detectives seek to establish what happened during an early-morning confrontation that left the 77-year-old musician fatally injured.
Vincent Arnold Nsamba, also known as Sitenda or Arnold, and Rose Tusiime were taken through the scene in Kibuli Market Zone B, Makindye Division, on Saturday as part of the ongoing murder investigation.
The exercise was conducted by detectives under the supervision of Kampala Metropolitan Police CID Commander Milton Birungi Beigumamu, Kabalagala Division Commander Akongo Francis and CID Kampala South Regional Commander Arthur Twiinamatsiko.
Matovu died at Kibuli Hospital on Thursday, September 24, after sustaining serious injuries during the confrontation.
Police have not yet released a final account of what happened or announced formal charges against the suspects.
What happened before the confrontation
Police and investigative accounts indicate that Matovu attended a function at Sheraton Gardens on Wednesday evening before travelling to Kibuli in the early hours of Thursday.
He reportedly arrived at a rented room occupied by Tusiime in the Kibuli Market Zone area at about 5am.
According to an account published by Daily Monitor, Tusiime told detectives that Matovu entered the room, sat on her bed and asked for water.
She reportedly told investigators that shortly afterwards, a man identified as Nsamba knocked on the door. When Tusiime did not open it, he allegedly smashed window panes before leaving the doorway and waiting outside.
Police have not publicly confirmed every detail contained in the witness account.
Confrontation
The confrontation reportedly occurred after Matovu and Tusiime left the room and began walking towards Matovu’s Land Rover, registration number UAR 982H.
According to preliminary police findings reported by New Vision, Nsamba confronted the pair after allegedly assaulting Tusiime. Matovu is said to have intervened before he was allegedly struck and fell, sustaining a serious head injury.
Other reports have said Nsamba allegedly punched both Tusiime and Matovu.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala initially described the incident as a physical fight and said detectives were investigating the circumstances surrounding Matovu’s injuries and death.
Nsamba allegedly fled the scene after the confrontation.
Matovu was taken to Kibuli Hospital by a boda boda rider but died while receiving treatment.
Police subsequently opened a suspected murder case and deployed detectives and forensic officers to examine the scene.
Investigators reportedly recovered a concrete paver, while bloodstains were found on the ground near Matovu’s vehicle.
Suspect arrested
Tusiime was initially taken into custody to assist police with the investigation and efforts to identify the man who had fled the scene.
Detectives later identified Nsamba as a suspect and launched a search for him.
He was arrested in Ochange Ward, Yesu Amala, Nansana Division, Wakiso District, several hours after the incident.
Police have described Nsamba as a private security guard.
On Friday, detectives searched his home in Nansana and, according to New Vision, recovered a jacket, shirt and trousers that he allegedly wore on the day of the confrontation.
The items were taken for further examination as investigators continued gathering physical and forensic evidence.
Reconstruction
During Saturday’s reconstruction, investigators took the suspects through the locations linked to the incident to compare their accounts with the physical layout of the area and evidence recovered from the scene.
Detectives are expected to establish the movements of Matovu, Tusiime and Nsamba, where the confrontation allegedly began, the point where Matovu fell and what happened after the assault.
Police said the reconstruction forms part of the wider investigation and does not by itself establish criminal responsibility.
The case is registered at Kabalagala Police Station under CRB 1072/2026, according to police-related reports.
Matovu buried
As investigations continued, Matovu was buried on Friday, September 25, at Kyanja following Muslim prayers at Kibuli Mosque.
Mourners later gathered at the National Theatre before proceeding to Kyanja for the vigil and burial.
Matovu, born on June 19, 1949, in Kawempe, Kampala, began his musical career in the 1960s and later played with the Police Band and Cranes Band.
He went on to co-found Afrigo Band in 1975 after the collapse of the Cranes Band. He served as a vocalist, saxophonist, composer, arranger and longtime leader of the group, which marked 50 years in 2025.
Police said investigations are continuing as detectives interview witnesses, examine forensic evidence and establish the circumstances that led to Matovu’s death.
Nsamba and Tusiime have not been convicted of any offence and remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
