Members of Afrigo Band have pledged to keep the more than five-decade-old music group together following the death of its longtime leader, Moses Matovu.

The commitment was made during Matovu’s burial at the family’s ancestral grounds in Kyanja, where band members paid tribute to the veteran musician and reflected on his contribution to Afrigo’s longevity.

Afrigo Band director James Wasula said the group would preserve Matovu’s legacy by maintaining the standards he established and ensuring the band continues to operate for generations.

Wasula said Matovu’s greatest dream was to see Afrigo overcome the challenges facing the group and the changing music industry.

He said Matovu’s death had left the band members in shock but pledged that they would carry forward his vision and keep the group together.

Wasula also disclosed that he was so affected by news of Matovu’s death that he was admitted to hospital, but later forced himself to attend the burial.

Afrigo percussionist Herman Ssewanyana said he first met Matovu in 1974 in Kibuli, when the band was still in its formative years.

Ssewanyana said their relationship as village mates helped him join Afrigo, but credited Matovu’s management style and commitment to teamwork for helping the group remain together for decades.

He said Matovu had, before his death, assigned responsibilities to individual members of the band, which he described as an important foundation for the group’s continuity.

Ssewanyana pledged to work with other members to keep Afrigo together and appealed to the band’s supporters to continue supporting the group.

Matovu, 77, was killed on Thursday morning in Kibuli following a confrontation involving a man police identified as the alleged boyfriend of a woman Matovu had visited.

Police arrested 41-year-old Nsamba Vincent, who remains in custody as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the musician’s death continue.