KAMPALA. The National Unity Platform (NUP) is mourning former Busiro South Member of Parliament Charles Matovu, who has died aged 41, with party president Robert Kyagulanyi describing his death as shocking.
Mr Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, paid tribute to the former legislator, describing him as a brother, comrade and fellow leader in the opposition movement.
“Very shocking news. May God strengthen all of us,” Mr Kyagulanyi said in a message reacting to the death.
Mr Matovu represented Busiro County South in Wakiso District during the 11th Parliament after being elected on the NUP ticket.
An electrical engineer by profession, he was born on April 1, 1985, according to his official profile on Parliament’s website.
His death comes months after he contested unsuccessfully to retain his parliamentary seat in the January 15, 2026 general election.
Mr Matovu lost the Busiro South contest to National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Kenan Opio, who was declared the winner.
Court records show that Mr Opio obtained 36,497 votes against Mr Matovu’s 30,487.
Following the declaration of the results, Mr Matovu challenged the outcome in the High Court in Entebbe, alleging electoral irregularities and non-compliance with electoral laws.
On September 25, 2026, the court dismissed a separate application in which he had sought access to additional electoral materials, ruling that the documents requested had not been identified with sufficient specificity.
The ruling related to the application for access to the materials and was separate from the substantive election petition. The final status of the main petition requires confirmation from the court record.
Mr Matovu’s political career also unfolded against a backdrop of tensions during the 2025–2026 election campaigns.
In December 2025, NUP reported that Mr Matovu and members of his campaign team had been assaulted by men alleged to have been in uniform while campaigning in Busiro South.
The party said those affected received treatment at Mengo Hospital. The allegations were attributed to NUP and should not be treated as independently established findings.
His death has prompted grief within the opposition party, where colleagues and supporters are reflecting on his contribution to the movement and his service as a legislator.
Mr Matovu’s parliamentary career placed him among the opposition representatives who served during the 11th Parliament, before he sought another term in the 2026 elections.
Further details about the circumstances surrounding his death, including the cause, location and funeral arrangements, had not been independently confirmed by the time of publication.