By Kabuye Ronald
Former Busiro South Member of Parliament Charles Matovu has died at Mulago National Referral Hospital after developing a sudden illness that saw him admitted to two hospitals in Kampala.
Matovu, a member of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), died on Thursday, October 22, 2026, shortly after being transferred from Lubaga Hospital to Mulago for further medical attention.
NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya confirmed the former legislator’s death, saying Matovu developed an abrupt health complication on Monday night.
Rubongoya said he visited Matovu at Lubaga Hospital on Thursday morning and found him in critical condition.
“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.
Matovu was subsequently transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he died shortly afterwards. The exact cause of his death had not been officially disclosed by Thursday night.
NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, described Matovu’s death as shocking, paying tribute to him as a brother, comrade and fellow leader.
“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,” Kyagulanyi said.
Kyagulanyi also referred to the disputed January 2026 parliamentary election, in which Matovu lost his seat to National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Kenan Opio.
Matovu challenged the election outcome in court, alleging irregularities that he said affected the results.
In September, the High Court in Entebbe dismissed an application in which Matovu sought access to additional electoral materials relating to the declaration of Opio as the duly elected representative for Busiro South. The court found that the request lacked sufficient specificity.
Matovu represented Busiro South in Wakiso District during the 11th Parliament after winning the constituency on the NUP ticket in the 2021 general election.
An electrical engineer by profession, Matovu was born on April 1, 1985, and was 41 years old at the time of his death.
His passing has drawn condolences from party colleagues, who have described his death as a significant loss to the opposition fraternity.
Kyagulanyi called for strength and comfort for Matovu’s family, friends and all those mourning the former legislator.
