The father of former Busiro South Member of Parliament Charles Matovu has claimed that doctors at Rubaga Hospital told him his son had been poisoned, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the former legislator’s death.
Vincent Bukenya made the allegation during Matovu’s requiem Mass at St Bruno Sserunkuuma Catholic Church in Kasenge on Saturday, where political leaders also condemned what they described as increasing brutality against civilians in Uganda.
“Even Satan kills, it’s Satan that has killed Matovu, because when he was being treated the first time at Rubaga Hospital, the doctors informed us that he had been poisoned,” Bukenya said.
The claim has not been independently verified, and no medical findings or other evidence confirming poisoning were provided during the gathering. It was also unclear whether police had opened an investigation into the allegation.
Matovu died on Thursday night following what was described as a sudden illness. His death prompted tributes from political leaders, some of whom used the funeral gathering to raise concerns about alleged abuses by security agencies.
Bukenya also recalled an earlier incident in which his son was allegedly beaten while returning from a campaign.
“And yet in the past, they had brutally beaten him when he was returning from the campaign,” he said.
He called for respect for citizens’ rights, arguing that no individual or political group should claim greater ownership of Uganda than others.
“This country belongs to all of us, whether you like it or not. Those who think they are more Ugandans than the rest of us, I don’t know where they get that notion from,” Bukenya said.
Leaders condemn alleged brutality
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament and National Unity Platform (NUP) spokesperson, Joel Ssenyonyi, also expressed concern over reports of security personnel brutalising civilians.
Ssenyonyi called on Ugandans to speak out against such practices, arguing that no individual or group should consider itself more entitled to the country than others.
Former Buganda Kingdom Minister for Youth and Sports Henry Ssekabembe Kiberu urged leaders across the political divide to reflect on the country’s condition and their responsibilities to its citizens.
“All the things that we hear are disheartening. They even make you shed tears, what we see and what we hear,” Ssekabembe said.
He appealed to political leaders to prioritise the country’s welfare above partisan interests.
“I want to ask of you leaders, both here and out there, regardless of your political affiliation or ideologies, to first raise this country to where it needs to be,” he added.
The remarks at the requiem Mass placed Matovu’s death within a broader discussion about political tensions, citizens’ rights and accountability for alleged abuses.
However, the claims concerning his death remain allegations and do not, on their own, establish that poisoning occurred or that any individual or institution was responsible.
Matovu was scheduled to be buried at Kungu-Lutale at 2pm on Sunday.
