Hajji Matovu was Mbarara’s pillar of hard work, selfless service
HE was a giant and good at cracking jokes. He was a jolly man with a passion for business. Like a typical successful Hajji, he cut a an imposing personality. He had a piercing gaze, and his magnetic personality and business skills endeared him to people from all walks of life — the poor, rich, rel
By Arthur Baguma and Abdulkarim Ssengendo
HE was a giant and good at cracking jokes. He was a jolly man with a passion for business. Like a typical successful Hajji, he cut a an imposing personality. He had a piercing gaze, and his magnetic personality and business skills endeared him to people from all walks of life — the poor, rich, religious and political leaders.
On a good day, you would find him deeply engaged in conversations with boda boda cyclists and tax drivers on the dusty streets of Mbarara. This was the life of Hajji Musa Matovu, a renowned businessman, who died in his hometown of Mbarara at the age of 59. He succumbed to low blood pressure at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital last week.
Matovu was an admirable entrepreneur, but his associates say he was not only a businessman, but also a generous Muslim. By the time of his death, he could proudly reflect on a life of selfless service to the ordinary people and the business community.
Little wonder he was laid to rest next to a mosque where he was a committed believer and regular in promoting Islamic values and unity. Because of his support towards the construction of different mosques in Ankole region, Hajji Matovu was buried at the Nyamitanga Mosque graveyard on the outskirts of Mbarara town.
Matovu had an admirable businessman acumen, owning a string of successful businesses in Mbarara and Kampala. He was one of the directors of Uganda Terminal Bus Service Association, he co-owned Swift Buses with long-time friend Leo Beyagira. He was also one of the directors of Sentah College, one of the best secondary schools in Mbarara. He also owned a petrol station.
Coming from a not-so-successful family, which saw him abandon the blackboard after Senior Four, Matovu forged a legacy to become one of Mbarara’s most renowned and wealthy businessmen. His friends say he inherited his business skills from his father who was also a success story in the same town.
Matovu’s death sent shock waves in Ankole region where he had become a household name. During his burial, mourners hailed him as an extraordinarily hard working perfectionist, who strove for excellence.
President Museveni, through a condolence message delivered by Haji Moses Kigongo, the vice-chairman of the National Resistance Movement, hailed Matovu as a true friend, who helped in many ways without expecting returns.
Museveni remembered Matovu as a man who helped many Ugandans, regardless of their religious and tribal background. He said Matovu was a pillar of the NRM in Mbarara.
The Muslim community in Ankole region is an interrelated multi-cultural society. But Hajji Matovu was their rallying factor, a pillar and strong opinion leader.
“We lost a great man and I don’t know if we shall get somebody like him to fill his position,†Nabila Ssempala, the Kampala Woman Member of Parliament, who hails from Kabwohe in Bushenyi district, said.
When it came to politics, Matovu never minced his words or shied away from identifying himself with his political group. A strong Movement supporter, Matovu was a godfather of many prospective candidates, who in addition to advice, received financial support from him. His endorsement was seen as a direct ticket to victory.
Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo, a personal doctor to the deceased, who is also eying the Mbarara Municipality seat, said Hajji Matovu was a determining factor on who would win any political seat in the municipality.
“Every candidate Matovu supported was seen as the most suitable. He was the voice of the voters here,†Bitekyerezo said. Mavotu was born 59 years ago to Hajji Asuman Matovu of Nyamitanga in Mbarara Municipality.
Building on his father’s popularity, Matovu made many friends with the likes of Beyagira with whom he co-owned Swift Buses Company — a fleet of buses which ply the western Ugandan route.
He pioneered many investments that created employment opportunities for many Ugandans. He paid fees for many orphans and vulnerable children, built mosques and schools, and supported many projects regardless of who owned them.
He leaves a legacy as a member of the influential people in Mbarara and his contribution to charity, and politics in particular, will live after him.
Matovu is survived by three wives and 14 children.
HE was a giant and good at cracking jokes. He was a jolly man with a passion for business. Like a typical successful Hajji, he cut a an imposing personality. He had a piercing gaze, and his magnetic personality and business skills endeared him to people from all walks of life — the poor, rich, religious and political leaders.
On a good day, you would find him deeply engaged in conversations with boda boda cyclists and tax drivers on the dusty streets of Mbarara. This was the life of Hajji Musa Matovu, a renowned businessman, who died in his hometown of Mbarara at the age of 59. He succumbed to low blood pressure at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital last week.
Matovu was an admirable entrepreneur, but his associates say he was not only a businessman, but also a generous Muslim. By the time of his death, he could proudly reflect on a life of selfless service to the ordinary people and the business community.
Little wonder he was laid to rest next to a mosque where he was a committed believer and regular in promoting Islamic values and unity. Because of his support towards the construction of different mosques in Ankole region, Hajji Matovu was buried at the Nyamitanga Mosque graveyard on the outskirts of Mbarara town.
Matovu had an admirable businessman acumen, owning a string of successful businesses in Mbarara and Kampala. He was one of the directors of Uganda Terminal Bus Service Association, he co-owned Swift Buses with long-time friend Leo Beyagira. He was also one of the directors of Sentah College, one of the best secondary schools in Mbarara. He also owned a petrol station.
Coming from a not-so-successful family, which saw him abandon the blackboard after Senior Four, Matovu forged a legacy to become one of Mbarara’s most renowned and wealthy businessmen. His friends say he inherited his business skills from his father who was also a success story in the same town.
Matovu’s death sent shock waves in Ankole region where he had become a household name. During his burial, mourners hailed him as an extraordinarily hard working perfectionist, who strove for excellence.
President Museveni, through a condolence message delivered by Haji Moses Kigongo, the vice-chairman of the National Resistance Movement, hailed Matovu as a true friend, who helped in many ways without expecting returns.
Museveni remembered Matovu as a man who helped many Ugandans, regardless of their religious and tribal background. He said Matovu was a pillar of the NRM in Mbarara.
The Muslim community in Ankole region is an interrelated multi-cultural society. But Hajji Matovu was their rallying factor, a pillar and strong opinion leader.
“We lost a great man and I don’t know if we shall get somebody like him to fill his position,†Nabila Ssempala, the Kampala Woman Member of Parliament, who hails from Kabwohe in Bushenyi district, said.
When it came to politics, Matovu never minced his words or shied away from identifying himself with his political group. A strong Movement supporter, Matovu was a godfather of many prospective candidates, who in addition to advice, received financial support from him. His endorsement was seen as a direct ticket to victory.
Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo, a personal doctor to the deceased, who is also eying the Mbarara Municipality seat, said Hajji Matovu was a determining factor on who would win any political seat in the municipality.
“Every candidate Matovu supported was seen as the most suitable. He was the voice of the voters here,†Bitekyerezo said. Mavotu was born 59 years ago to Hajji Asuman Matovu of Nyamitanga in Mbarara Municipality.
Building on his father’s popularity, Matovu made many friends with the likes of Beyagira with whom he co-owned Swift Buses Company — a fleet of buses which ply the western Ugandan route.
He pioneered many investments that created employment opportunities for many Ugandans. He paid fees for many orphans and vulnerable children, built mosques and schools, and supported many projects regardless of who owned them.
He leaves a legacy as a member of the influential people in Mbarara and his contribution to charity, and politics in particular, will live after him.
Matovu is survived by three wives and 14 children.