Former Busiro South Member of Parliament Charles Matovu has died at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, leaving unresolved a court challenge to the January 2026 parliamentary election in which he lost his seat to National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Kenan Opio.
Matovu, a member of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), died on Thursday, October 22, after being transferred from Lubaga Hospital. The cause of death had not been publicly established by Friday.
His death was announced by NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, who described the former legislator 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…. Very shocking news! May God strengthen all of us,” Kyagulanyi wrote on X.
Election dispute remained before court
Matovu had been challenging Opio’s victory in the January parliamentary election, alleging irregularities and non-compliance with electoral requirements.
Official Electoral Commission results showed Opio won the Busiro South seat with 36,497 votes, against Matovu’s 30,487.
Matovu initially sought a recount in 25 polling stations, alleging that his election agents had been chased away. Kajjansi Chief Magistrate Doreen Olga Karungi dismissed the application, citing insufficient evidence, and ordered him to pay costs.
He subsequently filed a substantive election petition in the High Court in Entebbe, seeking to overturn Opio’s victory.
On September 25, the court dismissed a separate application in which Matovu sought access to additional electoral materials from the Electoral Commission. The court found that his requests lacked sufficient specificity and awarded costs against him.
The ruling concerned the application for documents, rather than the merits of the main election petition.
The substantive case proceeded on October 16, when Opio and Wakiso District electoral commission returning officer Tolbert Musinguzi were cross-examined. Written submissions and a judgment were still pending when Matovu died.
The petition had therefore not reached a final determination at the time of his death.
Leaders pay tribute
Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, also mourned Matovu, linking his death to the legal challenge over the election result.
“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. He passed on after a medical challenge that he got abruptly this week. We shall avail more details about this very sad incident in due course,” Ssenyonyi wrote on X.
The description of the election victory as stolen reflects the opposition leaders’ position on the disputed result.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa said Matovu had represented his constituents with dedication during the 11th Parliament, which ran from 2021 to 2026.
“It is very sad to learn of the death of our brother Hon. Charles Matovu, former Member of Parliament for Busiro South, who passed on yesterday. Hon. Matovu represented his people with vigor and utmost dedication in the 11th Parliament. He was a member of the Parliamentary football team, where his tremendous contribution led us to dominate the East African Parliamentary games. My condolences go out to his family, the people of Busiro South, and the country at large. May he rest in eternal peace,” Tayebwa wrote.
Moses Hassim Magogo, the Budiope East MP, described Matovu as a close friend whose relationship with him extended beyond their time in Parliament.
“We became the BEST of friends in the 11th Parliament, and our friendship continued to his death. I must accept, 2026 has been my toughest year in all my life. Rest in power, my man, until we meet and play football again,” Magogo said.
Funeral programme announced
NUP released a programme of activities to honour Matovu, beginning with a public tribute at the party’s headquarters in Makerere-Kavule, Kampala, on Friday, October 23, at 3pm.
A requiem Mass is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, at 11am at St Bruno Sserunkuuma Catholic Church in Kasenge. A vigil will follow at his home in Kungu-Lutale, along Nakawuka Road.
Burial is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, at 2pm in Kungu-Lutale.
Matovu represented Busiro South in Wakiso District during the 11th Parliament before seeking re-election in January 2026. His death came less than a week after the latest hearing in his attempt to overturn the election result.
