The family of the late former Busiro South Member of Parliament Charles Matovu, has rejected a pledge by the area current Member of Parliament Kenan Opio, to pay school fees for one of the deceased’s children following his sudden passing at Mulago National Referral Hospital on October 22nd.
The Gomba East County Member of Parliament on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, Godfrey Saazi, who is also a brother in law to the deceased, said the family didn’t appreciate the legislator’s remarks who was locked in a heated court battle with the deceased at the time of this death.
“Something that pained us, is a person standing on the floor of Parliament and among all things pledged to financially support one of Matovu’s children for a period of four years. I don’t think that’s what he should have started with, it doesn’t even help us” he said.
Mr Saazi made the remarks while addressing journalists at the deceased’s home in Kungu – Lutale, Kajjansi Town Council, Wakiso district on Monday.
“If that was the condolences message he (Opio) had at that time, we didn’t appreciate it and we don’t want it. In strength and weakness, Matovu had a family on both sides, we shall work amongst us and pay the children’s tuition fees, that’s not the most important thing” he said.
He added, “Am standing here to reiterate that we don’t want his money as he had said, we are too deeply in pain. He would have researched to know the first thing to do in such a situation if he was humane”.
Mr Saazi expressed dismay at the NRM legislator for Kibuku County MP Hon. Kinobere Hebert, who turned up in National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), paraphernalia and attempted to force his way into the burial grounds, leading to a disruption of the requiem prayers.
“There are colleagues who felt happy when we had lost Matovu and they came to incite us, you very well know we subscribe to opposition’s NUP and you come dressed in NRM and NUP attires, what would you expect from people in mourning” he said.
He added, “Why would you incite mourners, want people to show their anger, it’s the same as showing up in our red attires to attend an NRM’s members burial just to provoke them, as leaders, let’s reassess ourselves”.
The deceased’s elder brother Mr John Baptist Nsamba, called for the release of 20 NUP members who were arrested, while returning from his brother’s burial and were recently remanded to Kigo Prison over allegedly being a public nuisance.
Mr Francis Jjemba, a National Unity Platform lawyer representing the 20 jailed NUP members, called for the release of an underage senior two student of Kasanje Royal School, who was arrested after security personnel blocked the road at Katalemwa, near Nakawuka centre and arrested anybody donning in a red colour.
“One in particular is George William Gyagenda, who was randomly picked up by security personnel. These people don’t have a crime, their only crime is they suspect they are NUP members, who had gone to bury their beloved MP, who always stood with them” he said.
He added, “The Kibuku County MP Kinobere even had a gun on top of the paraphernalia and fired two shots after inciting people in mass, but nothing has ever been been done about it, rather it’s him, who arrested those he incited”.
The NUP secretary for Busiro South, Mr Emmanuel Mugerwa Ssali, said there is need for security personnel and judiciary to stop allegedly being partisan.
“We need to change these precedents, a number of people will be taken to courts of law, when they see that the cases against them are about to be won, they could possibly cause harm to those that are competing against them” he said.
He added, “These are people’s children, some are school going children, others are bread winners and have to take care of their families. We are being played within the courts of law, ever since they were arraigned, it’s either the state attorney or magistrate absent on the particular day”.
Matovu’s family’s remarks come days after Busiro South MP Kenan Opio, while recently paying tribute to the former legislator on the floor of parliament, pledged to support one of the orphaned children.
“I want to say, May the soul of my colleague, our former MP Rest in eternal peace, and I also want to say in a good heart, am going to support one of his children for school fees, for four years” he said.
Following the deceased’s funeral, the Entebbe High Court assistant registrar Butanula Rashida, issued a notice of abatement in Matovu’s petition challenging the election of Opio as Busiro County South Constituency MP.
“Notice of abatement of election petition No.0001 of 2026 for the directly elected Member of Parliament for Busiro County South Constituency in Wakiso District is given following the death of Matovu Charles, the sole Petitioner, which occurred on 22nd October 2026.” The notice dated October 28, 2026 read.
