Muslim clerics and mourners at the burial of legendary musician Moses Matovu have condemned the judgmental commentary that flooded social media following his death, urging Ugandans to respect the dead and allow his family to mourn in peace.
Matovu, the founder and long-serving leader of Afrigo Band, one of Africa’s oldest music bands, died on Thursday in Kibuli at the age of 77. At his burial on a rainy Friday evening at his ancestral grounds in Kyanja, on the outskirts of Kampala, mourners and Muslim clerics rejected what they described as unnecessary judgment of the musician.
Chief mourner Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu, the Titular Mufti of Uganda, said death was beyond human control and that no one chooses the circumstances in which they die.
“The place where someone dies is known only by Allah. You cannot run away from death. You can leave your home or office and die on the road before you reach your house. Wherever our loved one Matovu died from, it was Allah’s plan,” Nakibinge said.
Nakibinge commended security agencies for swiftly arresting the suspect, saying the arrest demonstrated their capacity to apprehend criminals. He also warned about what he described as the growing threat of youth gangs in the Kampala Metropolitan area.
Sheikh Muhammad Shaban Galabuzi, the Supreme Mufti of the Kibuli-based Muslim community, also cautioned Ugandans against speaking ill of the dead. Galabuzi said Matovu remained committed to his faith despite his demanding music career, regularly attending Friday prayers at Kibuli.
“Matovu would be busy with music, but every Friday he was at Kibuli for prayers, which is very important. We had to pray and perform all rites for a fallen Muslim. I caution you to stop speaking ill of the dead. Speak good about them, and if you have nothing good to say, remain silent,” Galabuzi said.
Livingstone Lajani of the Lugogo Elders Club, where Matovu regularly trained, said those commenting negatively about the circumstances of his death had no moral authority to judge him.Lajani described Matovu as disciplined and health-conscious, saying he regularly trained with other members of the club.
“He trained every evening and supported all of us elders. We are all above 50, but we learned discipline from him. May his soul rest in peace. Those throwing words around are wrong. No one is perfect, no one is holy. It is too too bad,” Lajani said. Minister for Kampala Hajjati Minsa Kabanda delivered a message from the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, recognising Matovu’s contribution to Uganda’s music and sports. Matovu was born in Kawempe in 1949 and was buried at his ancestral grounds in Kyanja at the age of 77-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
