In pictures: The moments after Mowzey Radio's death

DEATH

MOSES SSEKIBOGO: 1985 - 2018

Ugandan musician Moses Ssekibogo, better known as Mowzey Radio, has died.

The nation woke up Thursday to news of his death, which occurred at Case Hospital in Kampala. Moments after, social media was awash with messages of condolence, including one from President Yoweri Museveni on Twitter. At Case Hospital, the general picture was reflective of how revered Radio has been . . .

News of death spreads fast . . . and much faster if it is to do with a celebrity. Mowzey Radio, who sang alongside Weasel as the Goodlyfe Crew, had a massive fan base. And it was not surprising that several people lined Buganda Road, right opposite Case Hospital, to possibly confirm what they had heard.

 

 

Some were seen making frantic phone calls as others stood rooted to the ground, engulfed by emotion. Other appeared uncertain over what to make of the news they had just received. Was Radio really dead?

Yes he was, they would eventually go on to learn.

 

 

Radio's singing partner Weasel, whose real name is Douglas Mayanja (Jose Chameleone's brother) appeared distraught as he arrived at Case Hospital. The mood was accentuated by the black hooded jacket and shades he wore as he squeezed his way through a mob of reporters.

 

 

The choice of apparel may have been different with Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, but the mood was certainly the same: dull and spirit-dampening. He later called it a "dark day" after the loss of a "very big and outstanding figure".

 

 

 Local musicain Halimah Namakula arrived at Case Hospital full of emotions.

 

 

But the intensity of the emotions at play was captured more vividly in this image of Radio's sister moments after arriving at Case Hospital.

 

 

 

Radio died aged 33. His powerful vocals graced radios and TVs across and beyond the land. It is no wonder the degree of emotions seen washed over the faces of the people close to him that came to Case Hospital.

Many struggled to fight back tears and they were helped into the facility.

 

 

Musician Jose Chameleone arrived at Case Hospital in the company of his sons.

 

 

 

 Radio was hospitalised after being on the receiving end of a brutal attack at  a bar in Entebbe. That was 11 days ago. His were such life-threatening injuries that the revered musician had to undergo surgery at Case Hospital.

Sadly, despite the efforts by doctors to restore his health, the renowned artiste lost the battle. He breathed his last at around 6:00am local time Thursday.

 

 

Radio's body was wheeled into a hospital van ready to be transferred to City Mortuary at Mulago.

 

 

Access to the mortuary was very, very limited. The Police had ordered that a post mortem examination be done to establish the actual cause of Radio's death. The findings would also help in ongoing investigations to bring the fallen musician's attacker to book.

 

 

According to funeral arrangements made public by music promoter Balaam Barugahare earlier on Thursday, a  vigil will be held at Radio's Neverland home in Makindye in the evening. On Friday, there will be a  Requiem Mass at Rubaga Cathedral ahead of burial on Saturday at Kagga in Nakawuka, Wakiso district.

 

 

Friends, family and well-wishers are still coming to terms with the death of their beloved music icon.

 

REST IN PEACE MOWZEY RADIO