Former Busiro South MP Charles Matovu dies at 41

By Derick Sentamu at 1526 EAT on Friday 23 2026

Former Busiro South Member of Parliament Charles Matovu has died at the age of 41 after falling critically ill earlier this week.

Matovu died on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he had been transferred from Lubaga Hospital.

National Unity Platform (NUP) secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya said Matovu’s illness began suddenly on Monday evening.

Rubongoya visited the former legislator at Lubaga Hospital on Thursday morning and found him in critical condition, unable to speak or open his eyes. Matovu was later transferred to Mulago, where he died.

The cause of death had not been officially announced by Thursday evening.

NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, expressed shock over Matovu’s death, describing him as a brother, comrade and fellow leader who represented Busiro South during the 11th Parliament.

Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi and other party officials also paid tribute to the former MP.

Born on April 1, 1985, Matovu trained as an electrical engineer and represented Busiro South in Wakiso District on the NUP ticket from 2021 to 2026.

He won the seat in the 2021 general election but lost it in January 2026 to National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Kenan Opio.

Matovu challenged the election results in the High Court at Entebbe, arguing that electoral irregularities and alleged violations of electoral laws had affected the outcome.

Figures cited in court documents showed Opio with approximately 36,497 votes against Matovu’s 30,487.

In September, Justice Johnson Karemani dismissed an application by Matovu seeking access to additional electoral materials, ruling that the request lacked sufficient specificity.

The main election petition was still before the court when Matovu died, with hearings reportedly beginning around October 16.

His death brings an end to his legal challenge over the Busiro South parliamentary seat. His family, party colleagues and constituents are mourning a former legislator whose final months were marked by a disputed election and an ongoing court battle.

Further details about the cause of death and funeral arrangements are expected from the family.