Compiled by E K Benj on Sunday 17th July 2022

In our special series “Senior Citizens” today we are featuring Moses Matovu  a Ugandan musician and saxophonist. He is one of the founders of Afrigo Band, Uganda’s longest-lasting band, founded in 1975.

Early childhood and education

Matovu was born on 19 June 1949 in Kawempe Division, Kampala District to Abdallah Bukenya and Solome Nakitto.

When his parents separated, he moved to Mengo, with his mother at the age of five. He spent most of his childhood with his mother. He attended Namirembe Primary School and later Kibuli Secondary School. He also attended Pillai’s Secondary School. However, Matovu’s education was cut short in 1966 when traditional institutions were abolished. He was on scholarship from Buganda Kingdom. With no opportunity to continue in school, Matovu concentrated on football and also joined the music industry in 1967 as a vocalist with the Thunderbirds Band.

Music

Matovu has been in Uganda’s music industry for close to 45 years. He started out in Thunderbirds Band in 1967 as a vocalist. From there, he joined the Police Band in 1968 and later Cranes Band in 1969 before he and other friends formed Afrigo Band in 1974.  He has been performing with the band since and is its leader, as of February 2015.

Discography

Some of the records and albums he has released are with Afrigo Band:

The Afrigo Band is a musical band in Uganda. It is the longest-lasting musical group in the history of Uganda, having existed for 44 years by August 2019.


Members
Joanita Kawalya, Rachel Magoola, Moses Matovu, Herman Ssewanyana
Past members
Frank Mbalire

History

The band was formed by a group of eight musicians led by their band leader, vocalist, and alto saxophonist, Moses Matovu, who continued to lead the band on its 38th anniversary. Playing to their fans at home in Uganda, the group tours regularly in Europe and the United States to play to Ugandans in the Diaspora. He has been performing with the band since and is its leader, as of February 2015. The eight founding band members were:

Moses Matovu
Charles Ssekyanzi
Jeff Sewava
Paddy Nsubuga
Paulo Serumagga
Fred Luyombya
Anthony Kyeyune
Geoffrey Kizito

Band members

As of January 2015, all except one of the founding band members had died. The band recruited replacements whenever a member left or died. Members of the band, past and present, include:

Moses Matovu – founder member, band leader, saxophonist, lead vocals, composer
Deo Mukungu – member, vocalist
Herman Ssewanyana – congas
Charles Ssekyanzi Mutagubya – vocalist, trumpet player, composer
Mansur Bulegeya Akiki – tenor saxophonist
Joanita Kawalya – vocalist, dancer
Rachael Magoola – vocalist, dancer, composer
Rashid Musoke – member
Paul Serumaga – founder member
Godfrey Mwambala – member
Tony Sengo – member
Tonny Ssenkebejje – solo guitarist
Fred Kigozi – member
Peter Bazanye – vocals
Joe Tabula – vocals
Frank Mbalire guitarist/vocals
Edmond Ganja – guitarist/vocals
Sammy Kasule – bassist/vocals
Charles Busuulwa – bassist
Eric Sabiiti – drummer
Julious Nshaba – drummer
Daniel Kaggwa – keyboards
Isaac Zzimbe – drummer
Jacinta Wamboga – dancer
Sarah Namiyonga – dancer
Aminye Rhoose – dancer

Discography

Some of the records and albums released by the band include the following:

Afrigo Batuuse

Charles Ssenkyanzi
Akola Bwenkanya
Musa
Enneyisa
Rose Guma
Onnemye
Nnemeddwa

Rachael Magoola
1999 Obangaina
Sipiidi Kendeeza
Olumbe Lwo’bwaavu
Sikulimba (Olunderebu)

Jim-  Joanita Kawalya

Recent developments

In January 2015, Afrigo Band began regular performances at Club Silk, in Kampala’s Industrial area, every Friday evening. Although the club attracts a predominantly young audience, with the arrival of Afrigo, Club Silk is expected to ring in more mature revelers, above the age of 40 years. In November 2015, the band celebrated its 40th anniversary with a sold-out concert at Hotel Africana, in Kampala.

African Rumba
Kidandali
Milege
Undercover Brothers Ug
Goodlyfe Crew
Blu*3
Sauti Ya Africa

Watch TV Interview here