Former Busiro South Member of Parliament Charles Matovu has died at Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he was receiving treatment following a sudden illness.
His death was announced by National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, who described the news as shocking.
“Just received very disturbing news concerning the abrupt passing of our brother, comrade and fellow leader, Hon. Charles Matovu, who served as Member of Parliament for Busiro South in the last Parliamentary term and had his victory robbed on gunpoint in the January election. Very shocking news! May God strengthen all of us,” Kyagulanyi wrote on X.
NUP spokesperson and Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi also confirmed Matovu’s death, saying the former legislator had developed a sudden medical complication earlier in the week.
“On a very sad note, Hon Charles Matovu, the immediate former MP of Busiro South, who has been trying to reclaim his stolen victory in court has died,” Ssenyonyi said.
He added that Matovu died following a medical complication that developed abruptly during the week.
NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya said Matovu was initially admitted to Lubaga Hospital before being transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for further investigations as his condition deteriorated.
Rubongoya said he visited the former legislator at Lubaga Hospital on Thursday morning and found him critically ill.
“This morning at Lubaga Hospital, I checked on Hon. Charles Matovu who was critically sick. His family informed us that he got an abrupt health challenge on Monday night. When I saw him today, he couldn’t speak or open his eyes although he was still alive but struggling to wake up,” Rubongoya said.
He added that Matovu was subsequently transferred to Mulago Hospital for further medical investigations but died shortly afterwards.
“From Lubaga, he was transferred to Mulago Hospital for further investigations. Most unfortunately, he passed on a short while ago. It is very shocking,” Rubongoya said.
Matovu represented Busiro South in the 11th Parliament but lost the seat in the 2026 general elections.
Following the election, he challenged the outcome in court, maintaining that he had been denied victory. He was pursuing the legal process at the time of his death.
Kyagulanyi’s tribute also referred to allegations that Matovu’s electoral victory had been taken from him through intimidation. These claims were presented as the party president’s account.
Matovu’s death has drawn tributes from senior NUP officials, who described him as a colleague and fellow party leader.
Further details about the circumstances of his death and burial arrangements are expected to be communicated by his family and the party.
