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 digging into the circumstances surrounding the musician’s death.
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.
The court appearance marked a major development in the investigation into the death of Matovu, the long-serving leader of Afrigo Band, 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.
However, Senior Magistrate Aidah Nanjala cautioned him against making any further comments because 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 matter will return to the Makindye court for mention.
While Nsamba was being taken to Luzira, Rose Tumusiime, the woman who was reportedly with Matovu shortly before the fatal confrontation, was brought to court but was not charged.
Instead, security officers took her back into custody for further interrogation at the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters in Kibuli.
The decision to return Tumusiime to CID underscores the fact that detectives are still treating her as an important witness and person of interest as they reconstruct the events that preceded Matovu’s death. Police have not charged Tumusiime with murder or any other offence.
Her presence at court, followed by her return to investigators, therefore does not amount to a criminal conviction or a finding that she participated in Matovu’s killing.
Police have previously said Tumusiime is assisting detectives in establishing what happened before, during and after the confrontation.
Investigators have been particularly interested in the relationship between Tumusiime and Nsamba and the circumstances in which Matovu came to be at her residence in the early hours of Thursday.
