By Our Reporter
Vincent Arnold Nsamba, 47, has been remanded to Luzira Upper Prison until November 3 as investigations continue into the death of veteran musician Moses Matovu.
KAMPALA-Vincent Arnold Nsamba, the 47-year-old man accused of killing Afrigo Band founder and veteran musician Moses Matovu, has been remanded to Luzira Upper Prison until November 3, 2026, as police investigations and related inquiries continue.
Nsamba, also known as Sitenda, appeared before Makindye Chief Magistrate Idah Nanjala on Monday afternoon, September 28, where the prosecution informed court that he faces allegations connected to the death of 77-year-old Matovu.
The accused, described in court as a part-time taxi driver and resident of Agip Zone in Kibuli, was presented before the magistrate after being linked to the September 24 death of the celebrated musician.
State Attorney Jamaima Akingo told court that the prosecution case alleges that on September 24, 2026, at Market B Zone in Kibuli Parish, Makindye Division, Kampala, Nsamba, acting with malice aforethought, caused Matovu’s death.
When the allegations were read to him, Nsamba told court: “I have heard and understood.”
The statement did not amount to a plea on the murder charge because the magistrate’s court does not have jurisdiction to try capital offences such as murder.
Magistrate cautions accused
Chief Magistrate Nanjala subsequently cautioned Nsamba against making further statements about the case before court.
The magistrate explained that the matter involved an offence that could not be tried by a magistrate’s court and that the court’s role at this stage was limited.
Murder is a capital offence under Ugandan law and is tried by the High Court. A magistrate’s court can handle preliminary proceedings and other procedural matters but does not conduct the full trial for a murder charge.
The State told court that investigations and other inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Matovu’s death were still ongoing.
Nanjala also informed Nsamba that he had the right to apply for bail before the High Court.
The court further indicated that Nsamba could be provided with an advocate if he required legal representation as the case progresses.
After the proceedings, the magistrate ordered that Nsamba be remanded to Luzira Upper Prison until November 3, 2026.
Accused appears in court
Nsamba appeared composed while standing in the dock during the proceedings.
He was also observed to have an apparent injury to his left arm, which was partly concealed beneath the sleeve of his shirt.
No explanation for the injury was provided in the information presented before court, and it would therefore be premature to draw conclusions about how it occurred or whether it is connected to the case.
The prosecution did not disclose further details about the evidence it has gathered against Nsamba, with the State indicating that investigations remain underway.
As a result, the allegations against Nsamba remain allegations unless and until they are proved in court.
Investigation into Matovu’s death
The remand follows the death of Moses Matovu, one of Uganda’s most recognised musicians and a founding figure of the Afrigo Band.
Matovu, aged 77, was known for his decades-long contribution to Uganda’s music industry and his association with Afrigo Band, one of the country’s longest-established musical groups.
His death has attracted significant public attention, particularly because of his status in Uganda’s cultural and entertainment history.
However, the criminal proceedings now before court are separate from the wider public mourning surrounding the musician’s death.
For investigators, the immediate focus is establishing the circumstances that led to Matovu’s death, identifying the events preceding it and determining the evidence that may connect any suspect to the alleged offence.
The prosecution’s decision to inform court that investigations are still continuing means that further details could emerge as investigators complete their inquiries.
What happens next?
Nsamba’s next major legal steps will depend on the progress of investigations and subsequent proceedings before the appropriate court.
Because the magistrate’s court lacks jurisdiction to hear the murder trial itself, the case will ultimately fall within the jurisdiction of the High Court if the prosecution proceeds with the murder charge.
The November 3 remand date provides the immediate procedural timeline disclosed in Monday’s proceedings.
Nsamba is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in accordance with the law.
The presumption of innocence is particularly important in high-profile criminal cases, where public interest can sometimes generate conclusions before the judicial process has been completed.
The court’s decision to remand Nsamba does not constitute a finding of guilt. It simply means that he will remain in custody as the legal process and investigations continue.
Right to legal representation and bail
During the proceedings, Chief Magistrate Nanjala informed Nsamba of his right to seek bail before the High Court.
The right to legal representation is also an important part of criminal proceedings, particularly in serious cases involving allegations of murder.
The prosecution, meanwhile, remains responsible for presenting sufficient evidence to establish its case through the appropriate judicial process.
At this stage, the information presented in court provides only an initial outline of the allegations. Details concerning the prosecution’s evidence, possible witnesses, forensic findings or the circumstances surrounding the alleged killing were not fully disclosed during the proceedings described.
Those details may become clearer as the case advances.
Matovu’s legacy
Beyond the criminal case, Matovu’s death marks the loss of a significant figure in Uganda’s music history.
As a founding figure of Afrigo Band, he was part of a musical institution that has played a major role in the development and preservation of Ugandan popular music over several decades.
Afrigo Band became widely associated with Ugandan cultural identity, live performances and music that appealed to generations of listeners.
Matovu’s career therefore extended beyond entertainment. His contribution formed part of the country’s broader cultural heritage, making the circumstances surrounding his death a matter of considerable public interest.
That public interest, however, does not replace the judicial process.
The investigation and prosecution must establish facts through admissible evidence, while the courts are responsible for determining criminal liability.
Importance of a transparent investigation
The case also highlights the importance of a thorough and transparent investigation when a prominent public figure dies under circumstances that result in a criminal investigation.
Investigators are expected to establish a clear chronology of events, preserve relevant evidence and allow the courts to independently assess the case.
For the family, friends, colleagues and admirers of Matovu, the judicial process may provide an avenue for establishing what happened and, where appropriate, securing accountability.
For the accused, the same process guarantees the right to defend himself against the allegations.
These principles are particularly important in high-profile cases because public attention can create pressure for quick conclusions.
Broader significance
The case has drawn attention not only because of Matovu’s prominence but also because of the wider place of musicians and cultural figures in Ugandan society.
The death of a veteran artist can have an impact beyond the immediate family, particularly when that artist has contributed to a cultural institution with a long history.
At the same time, criminal proceedings must remain evidence-based regardless of the identity or popularity of the deceased.
The decision to remand Nsamba therefore represents one stage in a legal process that is yet to determine whether the allegations against him can be proved.
Until then, any claims about guilt remain unproven.
Conclusion
Vincent Arnold Nsamba will remain at Luzira Upper Prison until November 3, 2026, following his appearance before Makindye Chief Magistrate Idah Nanjala over allegations arising from the death of Afrigo Band founder Moses Matovu.
The prosecution says investigations into the case are still ongoing, while the magistrate has directed that the matter proceed through the appropriate legal channels because murder is outside the jurisdiction of a magistrate’s court.
Nsamba has been informed of his right to seek bail before the High Court and to access legal representation.
As investigators continue their work, the next stage of the case will be closely watched by Matovu’s family, the music fraternity and the wider Ugandan public.
For now, however, the central question of criminal responsibility remains before the courts, and Nsamba remains legally presumed innocent unless the prosecution proves the allegations against him beyond the required legal standard.
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