The late Charles Matovu
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The National Unity Platform (NUP) is mourning former Busiro South Member of Parliament Charles Matovu, who died on Thursday, October 22, 2026, aged 41, before the courts could settle his petition challenging the outcome of the January parliamentary elections.
Matovu, an electrical engineer and senior member of the opposition party, died shortly after being transferred from Lubaga Hospital to Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala for further medical attention following a sudden, undisclosed illness.
His death has shocked NUP leaders and supporters, coming at a time when the former legislator was pursuing legal avenues to challenge his defeat in the 2026 parliamentary elections.
NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya confirmed the death on Thursday night, revealing that Matovu had developed an abrupt health complication on the evening of Monday, October 19.
Rubongoya said he had visited Matovu at Lubaga Hospital earlier on Thursday and found him in a critical condition.
“This morning at Lubaga Hospital, I checked on Hon. Charles Matovu who was critically sick. His family informed us that he got an abrupt health challenge on Monday night,” Rubongoya said.
He added that Matovu was unable to speak or open his eyes when he visited him, although he was still alive and struggling to regain consciousness.
“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.
The former legislator was subsequently transferred to Mulago Hospital, where he died shortly after arrival.
“Most unfortunately, he passed on a short while ago. It is very shocking,” Rubongoya announced.
The exact medical cause of death had not been officially disclosed by Thursday night. Although some reports mentioned possible complications such as pneumonia, the circumstances surrounding his sudden deterioration remained unclear pending further medical information.
Bobi Wine leads tributes
NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, expressed grief over the death, describing Matovu as a brother, comrade and fellow leader in the opposition movement.
“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 and had his victory robbed on gunpoint in the January election,” Kyagulanyi said.
“Very shocking news! May God strengthen all of us,” he added.
Matovu represented Busiro South in Wakiso District during the 11th Parliament after winning the constituency on the NUP ticket in the 2021 general elections.
Born on April 1, 1985, he had established himself as one of the party’s representatives in Parliament before seeking another term in the January 15, 2026 elections.
However, he lost to National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Kenan Opio in a contested election.
Dies before court resolves election dispute
According to court records, Matovu obtained 30,487 votes against Opio’s 36,497.
He challenged the results in the High Court in Entebbe, alleging electoral irregularities and non-compliance with electoral laws that he argued had affected the outcome.
His legal challenge remained unresolved at the time of his death, leaving questions about the future of the petition and the legal process he had initiated.
On September 25, 2026, the High Court dismissed a separate application in which Matovu had sought access to additional electoral materials. The court ruled that his requests did not identify the documents he wanted with sufficient specificity.
That ruling concerned access to the materials and was separate from the substantive election petition challenging the election results.
Matovu’s death therefore comes before the substantive dispute could be concluded, ending his personal pursuit of the case while leaving the legal implications to be determined through the applicable court procedures.
His political journey had also been marked by tensions during the election campaign. In December 2025, NUP reported that Matovu and members of his campaign team had been assaulted by men alleged to be in uniform while campaigning in Busiro South. The party said those affected received treatment at Mengo Hospital.
Opposition loses former legislator
Matovu’s death represents a loss for NUP, which has been forced to mourn a former parliamentary representative barely months after the conclusion of a fiercely contested election.
His career combined professional experience as an electrical engineer with political service representing constituents in Wakiso District.
For his party, his sudden passing has also interrupted a legal battle through which he sought to overturn the declared election outcome.
By Thursday night, further details about the confirmed medical cause of death and funeral arrangements had not been officially communicated.
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