Vincent Arnold Nsamba, the man accused of fatally assaulting veteran Afrigo Band leader Moses Matovu, has been remanded to Luzira Upper Prison as detectives continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the musician’s death, while a woman reportedly with him shortly before the confrontation was taken back into police custody for questioning.
Nsamba, 47, also known as Sitenda, appeared before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where he was formally charged with murder and remanded until November 3, 2026.
His appearance marked a significant development in the investigation into the death of Matovu, the veteran musician who died last Thursday after sustaining serious injuries during an early-morning confrontation at Kibuli Market Zone B in Makindye Division, Kampala.
Nsamba appeared composed in the dock as the murder charge was read to him. He told the court that he had heard and understood the charge against him.
However, Senior Magistrate Aidah Nanjala cautioned him against making further comments, explaining that the magistrate’s court does not have jurisdiction to try a capital offence such as murder.
The magistrate also informed Nsamba of his right to apply for bail before the High Court and indicated that state-provided legal representation would be available during the proceedings.
He was subsequently remanded to Luzira Upper Prison until November 3, when the case is expected to return to the Makindye court for mention.
### Woman linked to Matovu taken back to CID
While Nsamba was being taken to Luzira, Rose Tumusiime, the woman reportedly with Matovu shortly before the fatal confrontation, was brought to court but was not charged.
Instead, security officers returned her to custody for further interrogation at the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters in Kibuli.
Her return to investigators has drawn attention to the continuing efforts by detectives to establish the sequence of events leading to Matovu’s death and determine the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
Police have not charged Tumusiime with murder or any other offence. Her appearance at court and subsequent return to CID do not amount to a criminal conviction or establish that she participated in the killing.
Police have previously said Tumusiime is assisting detectives as they seek to establish what happened before, during and after the confrontation that left the celebrated musician dead.
Investigators are particularly interested in the relationship between Tumusiime and Nsamba, as well as the circumstances under which Matovu came to be at her residence in the early hours of Thursday.
The investigation is focused on piecing together the events that preceded the confrontation, including the movements of the individuals involved and the circumstances in which Matovu sustained the injuries that led to his death.
The decision to remand Nsamba while continuing to question Tumusiime reflects the different positions the two occupy in the ongoing proceedings: Nsamba has been formally charged with murder, while Tumusiime has not been charged.
For now, the questions surrounding Matovu’s final hours remain central to the investigation, with detectives expected to continue gathering evidence and statements from people who may help clarify what happened.
The veteran Afrigo Band leader’s death has brought renewed attention to the circumstances of the alleged assault, while the court proceedings have placed Nsamba’s murder charge at the centre of the developing case.
Nsamba remains on remand as the investigation continues, and the next court mention is scheduled for November 3, 2026. Meanwhile, detectives are continuing their inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Matovu’s death.
