Heavy joint security deployment comprising the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), and the Flying Squad cordoned off Kibuli Depot and Market Zone B in Makindye Division, Kampala, as detectives conducted a scene reconstruction following the tragic murder of veteran Afrigo Band co-founder Moses Matovu.
The operation was executed under the leadership of Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) CID Commander Milton Birungi Beigumamu, Kabalagala Division Police Commander Francis Akongo, and CID Kampala South Regional Commander Arthur Twiinamatsiko, alongside homicide and forensic detectives under the supervision of KMP Commander Ezekiel Ebapu Emitu.
Access to Market Zone B was restricted, with the public barred from entering or filming the proceedings due to security concerns over potential public hostility toward the suspects. Only journalists were permitted to observe the exercise from a distance.
The crime scene reconstruction involved two key suspects: 26-year-old Rose Tumusiime and her former partner, 41-year-old Vincent Arnold Nsamba, alias Sitenda. The pair detailed the sequence of events leading up to the physical altercation that claimed the life of the 77-year-old music icon.
Confirming the exercise, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Rachael Kawala stated, “We have taken the suspects back to the scene to help us obtain more evidence as we continue with investigations into the murder.” She added that the case was progressing well as officers worked to establish the full facts.
According to police and eyewitness accounts, the incident began shortly before the morning Fajr prayers. Matovu had driven Tumusiime home at around 4:00 AM after reportedly visiting Rujumbura Bar and Agaba’s Bar in Kibuli. Because the slum area is accessible only via narrow footpaths, Matovu parked his Range Rover along the roadside and walked Tumusiime through an unlit alley to her single-room rental.
Detectives revealed that after the two entered the house, Nsamba arrived and demanded entry. When Tumusiime refused to open the door, Nsamba smashed the glass window panes with a hard object to peer inside. Neighbors recalled hearing Nsamba demand to know who was in the house, to which Tumusiime responded that she was with her father figure.
Nsamba temporarily retreated but laid in wait near Matovu’s vehicle. As dawn broke, Matovu and Tumusiime emerged from the room and walked toward the paved road. Nsamba confronted them and physically assaulted Tumusiime.
Eyewitnesses reported that Matovu stepped in to protect her, asking Nsamba why he was beating the woman. During the confrontation, Nsamba struck Matovu below the chin. The blow caused Matovu to collapse and bleed profusely, prompting the suspect to flee the scene.
Local residents and a boda boda rider identified as Paul attempted to resuscitate the legendary musician before transporting him to Kibuli Hospital. Tumusiime followed to the health facility, paying an initial treatment deposit of Shs18,000. Medical efforts were unsuccessful, and Matovu was pronounced dead at 7:00 AM.
Following the incident, police arrested Nsamba at Yesu Amala in Ochange Ward, Nansana Division, Wakiso District. Detectives subsequently visited Nsamba’s residence in Nansana to collect additional physical evidence. Meanwhile, Tumusiime has been transferred to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) Headquarters in Kibuli for further interrogation.