Moses Matovu was a calming presence that SC Villa will miss

Just like many in my circles, I was devastated by the passing of Moses Matovu last week.

It took me time regain my composure upon the sad news of his death. Matovu had an infectious charm, but above all, a calming presence wherever he was. He was the kind of person that avoided controversy in almost everything he did, and was always the peace-maker whenever tempers flared.

While Matovu was a music gem, who excelled as a saxophonist, composer, vocalist and music arranger, he mingled with all types of people and this was exhibited during his send-off on Friday September 25, at Kyanja, a Kampala suburb.

For the years I interfaced with Matovu, I learned that he rarely spoke about himself and detested media hype. However, it was unbelievable for many people to learn that the late Matovu played football at a high level. Being a man of few words, it is a fact he kept to himself.

For starters, Matovu’s talent as a footballer saw him feature for topflight sides like Express and Police. But he also had stints with second tier league sides like Young Salumbey and Lint Marketing Board. He also played for non-league sides, Nakivubo Boys and Kibuli United.

Matovu’s passion for football did not stop on the pitch. He continued loving the game even after his retirement from active football. He rooted for SC Villa, and was among the officials who ensured that the Jogoos became a dominant side.

Born June 19, 1949 to Abdallah bin Adam Bukenya and Christine Nakitto (both deceased) of Kawempe, Matovu studied at Mengo PS, Kibuli Dem, Kibuli Junior and Pillai SS. He played football in all the schools he attended before joining Kibuli United, a community non-league team based in Kibuli, on the outskirts of Kampala.

In 1967, Matovu started playing for Nakivubo Boys a non-league team near the slum of Mengo, Kisenyi. At the time, the club was used as Express FC’s feeder side. By 1968, Express supremo Joseph William Aliddeki Kiwanuka, also known as Jolly Joe, spotted Matovu and lured him to Express.

Kiwanuka, who was also the Express coach, drafted the winger into the first team. He impressed, becoming one of the best wingers at the club. At the time, Express had national team stars and it was unthinkable that Matovu could penetrate into the star-studded side which had the likes of goalie Joseph Masajjage, James Lukwago, John Kaddu, Ibrahim Dafala, Francis Kyeyune, Ali Kitonsa, Alex Oundo, Ismael Kirungi and Charles Settuba, among others.

Yet, even against the competition, Matovu became a mainstay in the Express first team, constantly bombing down the flank as a traditional winger who prided himself in his ability to beat his man and put in a pinpoint cross.

Kiwanuka used his influence as one of the top officials of the Buganda regional team and summoned the youngster to the Buganda team in the 1969 Madhvani Cup tournament.

This was an annual tournament which used to attract the four regional teams. But the team was dominated by Uganda national team players like goalie George Bukenya, Henry Matte, John Semanobe, Alex Oundo, John Kaddu, Ali Kitonsa, Ben Mukasa, and Ibrahim Dafala among others.

Matovu played the best of his game in that tournament which saw Buganda beat Northern region 2-0 in the final, courtesy of Semanobe’s goals at Nakivubo Stadium.

**SWAPPING SOCCER FOR MUSIC **

The arrest of Jolly Joe Kiwanuka in 1969, created a vacuum in administration at Express, something which saw players defect to other clubs. But Matovu stayed at Express for a while, then featured for Lint FC in the second tier.

In 1969, Matovu had also become a star in Crane Band which he joined after a stint with Thunderbird and Police Jazz Band. When Kiwanuka was released from detention in 1971, he started from where he had stopped.

He brought back some of the players who had defected and pushed Express back to the top. The pressure was too much for Matovu who had to honour club training sessions as well as music practices. He decided to move to Police FC which was not too demanding.

In 1972, Matovu was giving football less time compared to music. his reason, “Football has an age limit compared to music whose span is life-long.”

**LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL **

I started interacting with Matovu in late 1970s as a small boy. He was a brother-in-law to my elder brother and we used to visit him a lot at his Kibuli residence. I also used to see him play football at Kibuli United and sometimes at the Police playground.

In November 1975, Matovu led a group of budding musicians to form Afrigo band. At the time, Matovu had grown in stature. He was not only the Afrigo Band’s leader, top vocalist and music composer, but he was also playing all types of saxophones like soprano, alto and tenor as well as the flute and congas.

Despite his deep presence in music, his passion for football didn’t disappear. He rallied behind Nakivubo Boys FC for its bid to join the top-flight in 1979 and remained a silent supporter for many years.

At Nakivubo Stadium, he had a permanent seat on the far-right corner of the pavilion’s back row. In the 2000s, SC Villa faced administrative wrangles which left the club executive and fans divided.

But Matovu, steadfast as usual, helped the team through the storm. He would pay the players’ allowances and other club logistics. By the way, his golden hand did not stop at SC Villa.

Even players from rival clubs experienced his kindness. In 2013, divisions in SC Villa became unmanageable. After several club officials deserted the club, it was Matovu who stood with a section of fans and a few officials to stop the club from going into the oblivion.

As if to reward his actions, he was elevated to the SC Villa Board of Trustees and was also part of the Villa Members Trust (VMT). Recently, Matovu was among the officials who were picked to help out former players, he was picked as treasurer.

By then, he had pledged to use his influence in Afrigo Band to mobilise funds for the ex-players body. It was a commitment he had made until his death on Thursday, September 24. Farewell, dear comrade!

hajjhassanbadruzziwa@gmail.com

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