The death of Afrigo Band leader Moses Matovu has revived memories of another mysterious killing that shocked Kampala nearly three decades ago — the 1997 murder of rally driver Gerald Kiddu. While the two cases are not directly connected, both involved attacks that happened before dawn at homes linked to women known to the victims.

Matovu, 77, died at Kibuli Hospital on September 24, 2026, after he was reportedly attacked during a confrontation in Kibuli. Police said he had gone to a woman’s home at about 5:30am and was confronted by a man who had previously been in a relationship with the woman.

According to the police account reported by BBEG Media, the woman was arrested to assist with investigations, while the male suspect was identified but initially fled the scene. The circumstances surrounding the confrontation and Matovu’s injuries remain under investigation.

The events have drawn comparisons with the death of Gerald Kiddu, who was 40 when he was shot at about 2:30am on May 16, 1997, at a woman friend’s home in Bunga, Kampala. Reports later identified the woman as Harriet Kasiimire.

In Kiddu’s case, armed men reportedly followed him to the house and demanded that the door be opened. When it remained closed, the attackers allegedly fired through the door, killing him. The case subsequently became one of Kampala’s notable unsolved murders.

One of the similarities between the two cases is the timing. Both attacks occurred in the early hours of the morning, when most people would normally be asleep.

There is also a similarity in the location of the incidents, with both Matovu and Kiddu reportedly being attacked at or near residences connected to women known to them. However, the nature of the attacks was different.

Kiddu was shot by armed attackers, while preliminary accounts in Matovu’s case indicate that he sustained injuries during a physical confrontation. Police have been investigating the events surrounding Matovu’s death and have sought to establish the roles of the people who were present.

The aftermath also saw the women connected to the two cases questioned by authorities. Kasiimire was arrested and charged in connection with Kiddu’s murder but was later acquitted after spending 13 months in custody, according to the historical account. In Matovu’s case, the woman involved has also been held by police as investigations continue.

Kiddu’s murder remained unresolved despite later investigations and recommendations for further inquiry. The Matovu investigation is still at an early stage, with police having identified and pursued a male suspect. The outcome will depend on the evidence investigators establish and whether it can support charges in court.